Second fire station in Milton Keynes could be demolished for new housing

MK Council is planning a deal with the Bucks Fire Authority to buy the redundant fire station in Bletchley through its business arm, Milton Keynes Development Partnership.

And it will use part of a £1m grant from the government Towns Fund to prepare the site for redevelopment.

This, according to council papers, will include "remediation and demolition, as appropriate".

Bletchley and Great Holm fire stations closed last month when firefighters moved to the new Blue Light Hub at West Ashlands. Both stations are being sold off and a planning application has already been submitted, though later withdrawn, to build 18 new homes at the Great Holm site.

The Bletchley site, next to the town's rail station, could be a desirable spot for commuters.

Meanwhile the rest of Bletchley is to receive a boost from the Towns Fund grant. At its second meeting last week, the Bletchley and Fenny Stratford Town Deal Board agreed to spend the rest of the cash on adding three new redway links for walkers and cyclists to enjoy.

The new links will improve the connectivity between the Lakes Estate, Bletchley Town Centre and Newton Leys to the Blue Lagoon Nature Reserve.

An MK Council decision to formally approve these proposals is set for next week.

MK was one of 100 places eligible to bid for up to £25m investment under the Town Fund scheme. Earlier this year, partners in MK set up a Town Board tasked with developing a strong investment case for Bletchley and Fenny Stratford.

Before submitting a plan to government later this year, the Town Board will engage with the community to ensure local people are involved in shaping the future of their area.

Leader of MK Council, Pete Marland said: “This initial investment will enable us to make an immediate start on these important projects and supports our long-term ambitions of delivering a brighter future for Bletchley and Fenny Stratford. I look forward to working with the community to develop a plan that capitalises on the growth opportunities in the area.”