Criminal complaint made to police about Milton Keynes Council

The allegations concern residents' long-running dispute about the planning permission granted by the council to build a giant 18m high warehouse close to homes on Blakelands estate.

MK Council has previously admitted there were errors in the planning process for the warehouse, including the fact that key conditions designed to protect residents were left out of the planning permission when it was granted in January 2018. See Citizen story here.

The conditions were eventually re-instated but residents say they are left with a warehouse which is close to homes, and about twice as tall as the building it replaced.

Last July the council commissioned an independent review of the decision to allow its construction. The consultant's report was due to be finished by September 2019 but residents are unhappy because, 10 months on, they claim there is still no sign of it.

Some householders on Blakelands have described the warehouse as 'oppressive' and a 'huge, enormous monstrosity'.

The Blakelands Residents Association has conducted its own investigation over the past two years into the circumstances surrounding the granting of planning permission.

A spokesman for the association said: "We have reviewed thousands of documents and emails and we have spoken to numerous parties (regarding the application)... We are deeply concerned by what has happened and continues to happen in Milton Keynes Council’s Planning Department."

They claim their findings amount to misconduct within the planning department and they have compiled a large dossier to hand to police.

The association spokesman said: "On 10 July 2020, we made an allegation to Thames Valley Police of misconduct in public office. This allegation has been supported by a 207-page case file documenting the full factual history and all the evidence.

"This case file and the allegation have now been passed on to the Chief Inspector of Thames Valley Police in Milton Keynes and also the Economic Crime Unit for full investigation."

A spokesman for Thames Valley Police told the Citizen this week: "I can confirm that we have had a report by a member of the public alleging misconduct in a public office. The information provided by the member of the public will be reviewed by officers to see if there are grounds for us to investigate further."

Meanwhile local Tory councillor John Bint, who was chair of the Development Control (planning) committee last year, said he supports their action.

He said: "Speaking as an individual MK Councillor, I share the widespread concerns being expressed by Blakelands residents and many others about problems in the Council's Planning Department.

"It seems to me that there have been too many recent instances of major problems within all four areas of the Department's work: producing planning policy documents, handling planning applications, enforcement action against unauthorised development, and conducting appeals. I am particularly concerned that the director, the deputy chief executive, and the chief executive, have all had these issues brought to their attention on multiple occasions, and they do not seem to have taken suitable action to deal with the situation."

Cllr Bint added: "MK's residents, businesses, and town and parish councillors are entitled to a planning service that functions effectively and transparently. There is a growing list of cases where serious concerns about council officers are being raised.

"Given the collective scope and seriousness of the concerns, I think it is right that residents should raise their concerns through whatever channel seems most appropriate: Ombudsman, FOI Commissioner, and/or police where relevant. I am sure all these organisations will deal properly with issues brought to their attention. I'm aware that the Blakelands residents group has made a formal allegation to the police... including some 200 pages of detailed evidence, and I would urge the police to investigate these concerns as soon as possible."

Today Blakelands Residents Association's spokesman received a letter from the council chief executive Michael Bracey. In it, Mr Bracey admits improvements are needed in the MKC planning service.

His letter, seen by the MK Citizen, states: "We acknowledge improvement is required in our planning service. That is why we have set up a Planning Improvement Board...The work of the board is now well underway, and progress is being made."

He adds: "I agree it is disappointing that the review of the warehouse at Yeomans Drive has been delayed on multiple occasions. The independent reviewer, Mr Dorfman, has publicly explained why his work is taking longer than expected and his most recent update indicates that this is now expected to be completed by mid August. I am sure you will understand that it would be highly inappropriate for officers to try to control or in any way direct the independent review process."

The letter concludes: "Finally, whilst I am very concerned about the allegations you make about misconduct in public office, it is not for me to comment on a matter that has been formally passed to the police. They will decide if there is a case to investigate or not."

Meanwhile an MK Council spokesman told the MK Citizen this evening: "We expect to receive a full and thorough independent review of the planning decision of this warehouse. We appreciate that the delay in the completion of the report has caused concern and frustration, which we have made clear to Mr Dorfman. We understand Mr Dorfman is now speaking with more residents and expects the report to completed in August.

"We take all allegations very seriously, but are unable to comment further as it is a matter for the police to decide if there is a case to investigate or not."