Developers 'give back' £15m city centre building for community use as mass Covid vaccination centre in Milton Keynes

Saxon Court, the building soon to become the city's mass vaccination centre, was sold off by the council to developers just three months ago, the Citizen can reveal.
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Saxon Court, the building soon to become the city's mass vaccination centre, was sold off by the council to developers for millions of pounds just three months ago, the Citizen can reveal.

But now the new owners are giving back the huge facility so it can help save lives and give immunisation to tens of thousands of local people.

National developers First Base and Patron Capital bought Saxon Court, which was once the council's housing offices, for £15m in October 2020. They plan to build new homes, workspace, homes, local independent retail outlets and community space that will bring almost £200m to the local economy.

Saxon Court will be an ideal mass vaccination centreSaxon Court will be an ideal mass vaccination centre
Saxon Court will be an ideal mass vaccination centre

But as the Covid crisis worsened by the day, it was decided the 200,000 square foot building, with its separate entrances and exits in the heart of CMK, would be the perfect and accessible place to house a mass vaccination programme.

Public-hearted First Base and Patron Capital were happy to temporarily set aside their own plans and support MK Council and the NHS to make this happen.

It is understood the centre is currently ready to go and health officials are just waiting for the vaccines to be delivered. This should be by the end of this month.

Marc Corbett, project director for First Base, told the Citizen: “We’re very proud to be supporting Milton Keynes Council and the NHS as they undertake this significant and important task. We have agreed to work closely with the Council and the NHS, and be as flexible as possible, to support this historic and potentially lifesaving vaccine roll-out in Milton Keynes."

A view inside Saxon CourtA view inside Saxon Court
A view inside Saxon Court

He added: “Saxon Court sits at the heart of Milton Keynes and we are pleased that the building will continue to play a pivotal role in the city’s recovery and renewal.”

The developers will continue with their plans when the building has served its purpose as a vaccine centre. But they say the benefits to the community will continue for decades to come.

Their plans include a multi-million pound package of long-term benefits including providing new jobs, skills, training, economic support and improvements to health, wellbeing and the local environment.

In addition to provision for flexible workspace, a gym, local independent food, drink and shopping outlets. there are plans to add new build housing to the rear of the development for around 250 build-to-rent homes.

Marc said: “We chose to invest in Milton Keynes because of its focus on innovation and location at the heart of

one of the world’s key innovation corridors. The city has an exciting future and we want to contribute to that.

“This is an excellent opportunity to create a new mixed-use district in the heart of one of the UK’s fastest growing cities. We want to celebrate the best of MK all in one place. We very much look forward to working with the council and the local community to develop our plans.”

He said the redevelopment will fit perfectly into Milton Keynes green infrastructure, opening up new space for people to live, work and socialise in the city centre, reducing the need to travel, cutting carbon and improving air quality.

Currently there are seven GP surgeries acting as smaller hubs to give Covid vaccinations to priority groups. By the end of the month all care home residents and staff in MK will have received their jabs, among with most people aged over 80, many frontline staff and a number of people aged 75 as well as or clinically vulnerable.

As soon as Saxon Court opens, potentially giving thousands of vaccines every day, the turn of younger people will come round much more rapidly.