Private garden once owned by Milton Keynes' founding father is the subject of controversial planning application

The acre of garden and detached five bedroom house in Tinkers Bridge once belonged to Fred Roche, the head of the former Milton Keynes Development Corporation.

Mr Roche and his team designed Milton Keynes from scratch during the 1970s, focusing on a low-density, greened infrastructure that was radical at the time.

He lived in the Holmfield Close house for more than 10 years, enjoying the garden that led to the canal.

Mr Roche died in 1992 but the Fred Roche Foundation was set up to keep his creative spirit and vision alive. The Fred Roche civic gardens were also built at CMK to form a "tranquil haven" in the city's busy commercial district.

Now the owners of the Tinker Bridge site, a company called Milton Holmfield Ltd, have lodged a planning application to develop the garden by building a new dwelling, complete with garage, in it. The plan will not affect the existing house.

Neighbours are urging MK Council to refuse the application, claiming it goes against all the famous principles of Mr Roche.

"I am extremely worried about this planning application," said one.

"The property was formerly the residence of Fred Roach, head of the Milton Keynes Development Corporation, who lived in it approximately 11 years. It has now been bought by developers who wish to build in the garden. Me and a number of concerned residents feel that the property and the land hold a great historic importance to Milton Keynes and its people.

"As a 'founding father' of Milton Keynes, we feel that this should be preserved...The entire area is a haven for wildlife along the Grand Union canal and borders on a wildlife corridor which goes from north to south right through Milton Keynes."

Milton Holmfield Ltd's planning application states the site is located in an existing residential area, well served by local amenities, transport links and services.

It adds: "The site has the benefit of being adjacent to the Grand Union Canal, but the proposal sets back the building so as not to impose itself on the canal setting. There is a proposed five metre buffer zone set back from the canal as recommended."

Mr Roche moved to MK in 1970, when the new city little more than a line on a map. Though only 39, he was appointed General Manager of Milton Keynes Development Corporation and oversaw the growth of MK through to 1981.

He was ahead of his time on on green issues and sustainability and allocated one-fifth of the city's area to open green open space.

He also launched a massive tree-planting programme, with two million trees being planted by 1973. This was all, linked with 180 miles of redways for people enjoy on foot or on cycles.

After his time at MKDC, Mr Roche joined up with Terence Conran of Habitat fame to establish the architecture and planning consultancy Conran Roche. The company developed a number of successful projects during the 1980s including Butler's Wharf and Michelin House in London.