First Milton Keynes regeneration residents vote overwhelmingly over home demolition plans

Residents and businesses on a rundown estate have voted massively in favour of their homes being demolished.
By The Newsroom
Published 19th Nov 2018, 12:51 BST
Updated 19th Nov 2018, 13:56 BST
Serpentine Court Milton KeynesSerpentine Court Milton Keynes
Serpentine Court Milton Keynes

The ballot about the fate of Serpentine Court on the Lakes estate was the first to the held under the council’s £1 billion regeneration scheme.

Open only to the householders and businesses occupying Serpentine Court, it generated a huge 85 per cent turnout.

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And a resounding 93 per cent of people voted for option three - the demolition of the entire all 199 existing properties, followed by the building of around 400 new homes.

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Residents voted overwhelminglyResidents voted overwhelmingly
Residents voted overwhelmingly

The cost of this will be £75.3mil, says MK Council.

All the affected tenants will be given a new home to rent. It is still not clear what will happen to home owners, though the council has promised no resident will be “out of pocket” over the regeneration.

Cabinet member for housing, Councillor Nigel Long, said: “This is a great day for the diverse Serpentine Court community. Now the detailed work starts on turning the dream of new homes into reality.”

The ballot took place on Friday and Saturday and the results were read out on Saturday afternoon.

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Cllr Long said:“There was enormous joy amongst the residents.

But some people who live elsewhere on the estate had complained the ballot was unfair because they were not allowed to vote on an issue that affects the entire area.

Residents eligible to vote were asked to choose one of three options.

The first was no regeneration at all on Serpentine Court. This would cost the council £5.8 million over next 30 years.

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The second was partial regeneration, with a cost of £73.2 million. And the third was full demolition and building twice as many new homes.

Councillor Nigel Long said: “I worked at Serpentine Court, when I first came to Bletchley in 1983. I am passionately committed to seeing the ballot decision turned into reality.

“ Together, we will deliver the high quality homes that will improve lives and opportunities for the community.”

Council leader Pete Marland thanked everybody involved in the ballot and promised MK Council will support residents through the demolition process.

Related topics:ResidentsMilton KeynesMK Council