Plans for more than 350 homes in Milton Keynes hit setback after tree proposals rejected
Plans for up to 355 homes in Central Milton Keynes have hit a setback after the council rejected proposals for trees, planting and paving.
The Bank House redevelopment in Midsummer Boulevard already has planning permission for a building of up to 20 storeys, with homes and business space, but the permission requires landscaping details to be approved before building work proceeds above slab level.
Milton Keynes City Council rejected the details yesterday (October 22), citing shortcomings in replacement tree planting, identification of retained trees and their root protection areas, planting specifications and paving details.
The decision does not cancel permission for the homes or confirm whether building work has stopped or the project will be delayed.
The rejected plans included six new trees at street level: three hornbeams and three wild cherries, between 4.5 and five metres tall when planted.
Shrubs and other plants were proposed around the building at 171 Midsummer Boulevard.
A separate plan marked a group of existing alders for removal to make way for landscaping. An earlier report identified six alders for felling.
Elizabeth Woodhouse, who objected to the landscaping plans, said more existing street trees should be kept where possible, or additional replacements planted.
She said concerns raised about an earlier landscaping application had still not been addressed.
Ms Woodhouse questioned whether the proposed trees were suitable for their surroundings.
The wild cherries would spread too widely so close to the building, she said, while the hornbeams should be a narrower, upright variety.
She criticised the tree survey for being more than three years old.
Ms Woodhouse said existing trees needed to be shown individually on the plans, along with the space needed to protect their roots and the spread of their branches.
She raised concerns about paving slab thickness and whether materials would match the surrounding streets.
In its refusal, the council said an acceptable, coordinated landscaping scheme had not been demonstrated.
Kieran Hodge, of HG Construction, submitted the application to meet a condition attached to the development’s varied planning permission, granted to Platform MK Sarl in August.
The condition requires landscaping to be finished before first occupation or completion of the development, whichever happens first.
Plants that die or become badly damaged or diseased within five years of planting must be replaced the next planting season, with a ten-year period applying to trees.
The rejected application is listed on the council’s planning website under PLN/2026/1867.
The refusal relates to landscaping details required by condition three of permission PLN/2025/2296. The applicant has a right of appeal against the decision.