BPARA – Hon. Chairman’s Report – 2016 AGM
The last 12 months:
COBRA (Consortium of Bletchley Resident Associations not the government committee to deal with emergencies)
As reported last year, Reg Edwards, retired Bletchley/Fenny Stratford Town Councillor, rallied 7 local resident associations to revive COBRA. Apart from BPARA, the other associations include Fenny Stratford, Lakes, Leon, Mill, Water Eaton and Newton Leys. 5 regular meetings are held each year and additional meetings where appropriate. Alan Webb, MK Ward Councillor for Bletchley East, is a regular attendee and Gladstone McKenzie, West Bletchley Councillor has attended 1 meeting so far. BPARA is the only residents association in West Bletchley
Aims/objectives:
- Establish close working relationship between all COBRA members
- Promote/further interests of all residents
- To address issues including environmental, transport, planning, health & safety
- Move toward a collective approach in tackling issues of concern and ensure that COBRA matters are referred to the appropriate persons for action (presence of Reg and Alan in COBRA aids this last objective)
Initially, the meetings that I attended were dominated by issues affecting those in Bletchley Town/Fenny Stratford area only. However, there is one issue that affects all of us living in Bletchley – development on the outskirts of our area, namely Newton Leys (where stage 1 has been completed), proposed development at Eaton Leys and by the South West Milton Keynes Consortium (better known as Salden Chase). COBRA arranged a public meeting at the Coronation Hall on 12 December to, I quote, “Discuss the biggest ever impact on Bletchley in relation to highways, traffic congestion, environment and provision of services” in relation to these developments:
- Newton Leys – when completed, there will be 2,000 homes (350 of which will be on Aylesbury Vale land, MK Council rejected the application but it was allowed on appeal), a combined school, employment areas, community facilities, shops, playing fields, a hotel or leisure centre and a travellers site. The developer built a doctor’s surgery in phase 1 but this is not used as the NHS cannot provide the necessary medical resource to operate it – no wonder that existing doctors’ surgeries in Bletchley are closed to new patients.
- Eaton Leys – on land east of Water Eaton and Fenny Stratford, part of which is a flood plain. 1,800 homes, 2 primary schools, shops, another health centre (if built, will it be manned?), community hall and public open space (2/3 land is in the Aylesbury Vale area, only 1/3 in MK area)
- South West Milton Keynes Plan – as you are aware, to include up to 1,855 homes, primary school, employment area, neighbourhood centre with community hall, shops, health provision, park land, sports field, including a grid road to reserve a route for a future Bletchley Southern Bypass.
Despite being held close to Christmas, the meeting was attended by 100 residents who were addressed by a number of speakers, including the Chair of MKC Development Control Committee, Ernie Thomas, WB Councillor who leads the WBC Salden Chase Sub-Committee, Chair of Gt. Brickhill Parish Council & the Leader of Aylesbury Vale Council. In addition, reports or letters were received from some of those unable to attend, including Iain Stewart, our MP, and senior MK Officers responsible for Planning and Flood Risk.
Many questions were raised regarding road and rail infrastructure, public transport, the adequacy of MK Hospital and other NHS services to cater for an increased population, whether there will be resource for additional schools and flood risk – we will publish minutes of this meeting on BPARA website
Following this public meeting, B&FSTC have set up an Eaton Leys Planning Application Working Group which includes COBRA representatives and other parties such as neighbouring parish councils with an interest in this proposed development – WBC, which has similar concerns in relation to the “Salden Chase/MK South West Plan” is represented, and some of us attended the first meeting which was held on 9 March. Actions from this meeting were agreed:
- Infrastructure support and funding for a Bletchley Bypass – Aylesbury Vale DC, MKC and Bucks CC to be asked to formally apply for funding from the Government (very little road construction/improvements in western MK compared to that on the eastern side via the A421 to J13 of the M1).
- Request for guarantees for adequate public transport provision to MKC
- Request for support from Iain Stewart, MP and attendance at next Working Group meeting
- Register concern with MKC regarding construction on a flood plain and future difficulties for prospective residents to obtain mortgages/household insurance, also the impact of extra residents on existing water and waste disposal services, also, the adequacy/provision of medical and education services
- A public consultation to be held at B&FSTC’s Love Bletchley Day on Saturday, 7 May.
- Next Working Group meeting to include representatives from all neighbouring parish councils, MKC, Bucks CC and Aylesbury Vale DC.
- Dialogue to be opened with the development company.
This new Working Group will run alongside, and in conjunction with, the WB Council Salden Chase Sub-Committee. The latest on this proposed development is that the developer is working on revisions to their original scheme, details of which are likely to be available in May.
I before E – Infrastructure before Expansion!
As part of her Secretary’s Report, Kathy will update you on other planning matters.
An update on WB Neighbourhood Plan
At last year’s AGM, Helen Hupton, Clerk to WBC, spoke about the Neighbourhood Plan and her slides showed some of the sites/buildings including the Fire Station that would form part of this Plan. Helen as advised that the:
- Draft Plan is being prepared for statutory consultation and examination
- Elections and AGM where reps on the Neighbourhood planning Steering Committee will be appointed on 16 May
- Approval by full council on 16 August
Finally, BPARA website
I do apologise that we (mainly Ib & I) have been rather lax in ensuring that the website is kept up to date, simply due to our business/work commitments. We are formulating a plan to rectify this and hope to have the website re-vamped shortly.
Download a copy of this report here.
