Development Areas
Canteen
Site, Wilton Avenue
The owners of the site submitted a revised application for demolition of the canteen buildings and erection of 6 houses. We consulted all the residents of Wilton Avenue to see whether they were in favour of this. There was a fifty-fifty split between those in favour and those who thought that some buildings should be retained, as part of the Bletchley Park heritage in the Conservation Area. All would like the situation resolved as soon as possible. Officers of Milton Keynes Council will be recommending the Development Control Committee to refuse the application at its June meeting, on the grounds that no effort has been made to seek a solution to preserving some of the buildings.
Bletchley
Park, South East Corner
The residential blocks in the south east corner of Bletchley Park have been demolished. We are told that a planning application to build about 60 houses there will be submitted to MKC in the near future.
Redrow
Site (former MK College land)
As yet no work started.
Land
Adjacent to Parkside Surgery
Work on residential care homes for children with special needs is due to start soon.
Bletchley Conservation Area
In 2010 a public consultation was held, and officers of the MKC Conservation team reassessed the Bletchley Conservation Area, established in 1992. As a result it has been decided to retain the existing boundaries, with the removal of two small areas of no historic merit at the north east and south west corners.
Meetings and Newsletters
Since the last AGM there have been two meetings of the Committee, and one special meeting about The Leys (more later). As usual four regular Newsletters have been distributed. Thanks to Pete Ager for editing and printing. Leaflets and letters have been prepared for two groups of members – residents of Wilton Avenue and those living in Whalley Drive near to The Leys.
Item
8
The Leys
This large open space between Westminster Drive and Whalley Drive has been allocated money from Planning Gain funds, paid by the developers of the Bletchley Park estate. This arrangement was agreed with MKC at the time when the planning application was approved, and cannot be transferred for other use. West Bletchley and Milton Keynes Councils have put forward no suggestions about how the money should be spent, but are carrying out a series of consultations for ideas from the public until September. Then plans will be drawn up and put out for public consultation.
As The Leys is behind the homes of some of our members, and is used for recreation by many members and their families, we arranged a meeting on 30th March to discuss ideas for spending the money. The general view was that the park should retain its open character. Suggestions included: more landscaping and replacement trees, resurfacing of the perimeter path, some cross paths (following trodden ways), refurbishment of the existing basket ball area, goal posts and children’s play area at the Sherwood Drive end, more benches for the elderly and infirm, improved signage and improvements to the appearance of the redway from Whalley Drive. If you have any suggestions either give them to me to pass on, or contact Paul Neate at WBC.
