Campaigners ‘extremely disappointed’ that Milton Keynes iconic The Point does not meet criteria for national listing

The Twentieth Century Society (C20), which campaigns for historic buildings, said it was disappointed that a Certificate of Immunity from Listing had been renewed for the distinctive building, which sits in the heart of the city centre.

The site, which celebrated its 40th birthday last year, could be demolished and replaced by a 21-storey apartment block containing 487 flats, after developer Galliard Homes was granted permission to build on the site last year following a successful appeal to the Planning Inspector.

The C20 Society alongside The Cinema Theatre Association, recently presented new evidence was to why it believed The Point should be protected, but was told by Historic England that the site did not meet the criteria for national listing.

In its assessment, Historic England said: "In terms of the history of cinema, the development of the multiplex represents a relatively late stage in its wider evolution and is not of national significance.

"As a building type and way of enjoying entertainment, the multiplex was pioneered in the United States rather than Britain."

Responding to the decision, The C20 Society said it would "continue to campaign for a pragmatic scheme that retains the pyramid structure, while redeveloping the connecting cinema hall and multistorey car-park."

The Point opened in November 1985 after Milton Keynes was chosen by American theatre chain AMC as the location for what was described as ‘a bold new experiment.’

Among its first screenings were Back to the Future, The Goonies and My Beautiful Launderette, and it proved a resounding success, attracting more than one million visitors in its first year.

The nightclub at The Point closed in 2007 followed by The Odeon cinema in 2015, with the building since providing a home for various youth charities.

Milton Keynes City Council unanimously rejected a £150 million housing scheme for the site in July 2024, however after this was overturned by planning inspectors Labour leader of the authority Pete Marland said: "The decision shows a complete disregard for the unique heritage of the city.

“[The Point] is just as important for the people of Milton Keynes as the Liver Building is to the people of Liverpool or St Paul’s is to Londoners - just because its newer doesn’t mean it’s any less important."

Milton Keynes City Council said in a statement to the Citizen: "We are reflecting on the decision not to list The Point, along with the request for comments on the recommendation to issue a Certificate of Immunity from listing."

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