The Planning Cabinet Advisory Group of Milton Keynes Council discussed growth options for the City Plan 2050, focusing on potential development areas and the need for 33,000 new homes. Key topics included affordable housing targets, cross-boundary cooperation, and infrastructure needs.

Growth Options

Officers presented the process for defining growth options and highlighted that the work was ongoing, with sites promoted by developers. The presentation, available here, detailed 14 broad areas for development, including Central Milton Keynes (CMK), Bletchley, brownfield redevelopment, Eastern Expansion, Southern Expansion, and Western Expansion Area (WEA) continuation.

Members were informed that an additional 33,000 homes would need to be allocated in the City Plan 2050. The total proposed capacity was 80,000 homes, from which the required 33,000 homes would be selected. Officers clarified that the 30,000 homes within current supply included everything under construction as of 1 April 2022, anything with detailed or outlined permission, and the existing allocation from Plan MK.

Affordable Housing

Clarification was sought on the 27% affordable housing target, which officers explained was recommended in the Housing and Economic Development Needs Assessment. This target is not yet policy but will be a material consideration when the Plan is adopted. The Chair noted that requiring more affordable housing could involve trade-offs, influenced by factors such as the overall number of homes and the location of the development.

Cross-Boundary Cooperation

Members raised concerns about infrastructure projects, such as schools, when a site is on the border of the local authority. The Chair mentioned ongoing conversations with Central Bedfordshire Council and Apsley Guise, stressing the importance of cross-boundary cooperation. However, this work is currently limited as Central Bedfordshire Council is earlier in their Plan process than Milton Keynes Council.

Five-Year Land Supply

The Chair highlighted the importance of demonstrating the deliverability of the five-year land supply to the Planning Inspector. Officers noted an update to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), which suggests that oversupply could be considered when calculating the five-year land supply.

Infrastructure and Phasing

Members emphasized the need for sufficient infrastructure and amenities, such as schools and health facilities, to support new developments. The Chair acknowledged the challenge of phasing development over 25 years and the importance of a phasing policy for larger developments.

Community Engagement

Members stressed the importance of engaging with residents, particularly regarding road linkages and the impact on existing communities. The Chair agreed, noting the potential difficulties in linking new developments into the existing network.

Employment Land

The Chair mentioned that the proposed sites did not address employment options and that a detailed look at Employment Land would be brought to the next meeting of the CAG.

Next Steps

The Group noted that a detailed look at employment land and an update on the meeting with developers would be provided at the next meeting of the CAG, provisionally scheduled for June 2024. The presentation and minutes would be published online and circulated to Milton Keynes City Council (MKCC) Councillors for feedback.

For further details, the full minutes of the meeting can be accessed here.