Private sellers put 'park' land up for auction in Milton Keynes town

Labour Milton Keynes councillors have slammed the move as "outrageous" and has persuaded the parish council to bid for the land to prevent developers getting their hands on it.

Both sites are in Bletchley and both are owned by private companies, says the council.

The first and largest patch of land is a "much valued open space" within a residential area of West Bletchley, off Whalley Drive at its junction with Cheneys Walk.

The auctioneers, Barnard Marcus, say the 4,552 square metre site has "potential" for development, subject to planning permission.

Their have set a guide price as £25,000 for the auction, which will take place on July 29.

The second site is a small 347.44 square metre island in the middle of a housing area in Melrose Avenue, near the junction of Spenlows Road.

This is up for auction by Allsop's tomorrow (Thursday) and the guide price is £10,000.

The auctioneers describe it as having "possible development potential, subject to consents."

Labour's Cabinet member for housing, Councillor Nigel Long said: "Two areas of much valued open space in West Bletchley have recently been put up for auction by their owner, leaving residents concerned that they may be purchased by developers. The two spaces are listed as parks in the Neighbourhood Plan and Labour Councillors are keen to ensure they remain as such."

Both spaces are owned by companies outside Milton Keynes, he said,

Nigel is working with West Bletchley Parish Council to encourage them to consider purchasing the land to retain their status as parks.

The Parish Council held a special meeting yesterday (Tuesday) where they voted unanimously to support for Councillor Long’s proposal to try buy the sites, although this is subject to the way the auction goes.

Nigel said: “I believe it is outrageous that these open spaces are being sold at auction. Whilst one site is small but lovely, the Cheney’s Walk site is substantial. It was identified as a local park in the Neighbourhood Plan. It is also wrong that the local council, councillors and the wider community were not consulted by the owner on the sale of the site.”

He added: “I am pleased that Labour-led West Bletchley Parish Council agreed to try and buy both sites at auction. It has also agreed that if our bids are not successful the parish council will look at a range of other measures to try and secure the sites and stop any development on them.”