Developer praised for changing plan for new warehouse near Milton Keynes beauty spot

Developers were praised for making changes to their plan for a redeveloped warehouse close to a Milton Keynes beauty spot.
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Applicant Gazeley had been refused permission back in March to demolish the warehouse and office complex at Willen House, in Emerald Gate, Fox Milne, and build a bigger one.

The buildings are on the side of Willen Lake and even though it is in a business area, councillors threw out the previous proposal because it would be “unsympathetic to the character of the area.”

Councillors also warned that the plan’s lack of parking would mean cars and lorries would be forced to use local roads.

The development control committee was told on Thursday that the plan is still two spaces short of what Milton Keynes Council’s policies say it should be. But that is an improvement on a previous shortfall of 84.

And the plan now has one more lorry space than it needs under the council’s policies, and a scheme to plant 154 trees can also be agreed.

Cllr Ric Brackenbury (Lib Dem, Campbell Park & Old Woughton) had voted to refuse the previous scheme.

“What we’ve got in front of us is much improved, and I would like to applaud and thank the applicant. For me this is a sign of the planning process working.”

Business development close to Willen LakeBusiness development close to Willen Lake
Business development close to Willen Lake

And Cllr Keith McLean (Cons, Olney) agreed. “Ditto. It shows we can work with applicants to come up with schemes that are more acceptable to everybody.”

Committee chairman Cllr Anthony Brown (Lab, Tattenhoe) said: “We’ve got to the point where it’s much improved. This can be regarded as effective planning and use of the committee.”

All 11 members of the committee voted to grant Gazeley planning permission for the new 18m tall warehouse and offices.