Planning application 19/02698/FUL submitted by Milton Keynes College in respect of the proposed Institute of Technology (IOT) was refused by MK Council due to the absence of a legal agreement (and planning obligation) securing the off-site car parking provision, it is likely that the development as proposed would result in a shortfall of up to 120 car parking spaces. For details of decision, please see Block D IoT decision.
We understand that the application was satisfactory in all other aspects of planning policy. BPARA appealed to Bletchley Ward Councillors to head up an initiative to achieve a solution to the parking shortfall as outlined in MK Council’s refusal of this planning application – we hope that this setback does not stop the proposed funding of £27m by the Government, particularly as this funding was offered prior to Covid-19 which has since resulted in the Government having to commit millions to measures to combat the virus and support companies, workers etc. BPARA only has limited information regarding the Block D application – if Network Rail or a train operator is not cooperating, this needs to be addressed as a priority.
We did not get the opportunity to discuss this matter at the West Bletchley Council Parking Sub-Committee meeting on 1 June – this Sub-Committee was set up at the request of BPARA to tackle the significant parking issues that we have, particularly in the Bletchley Park Area.
In brief:
- Commuters not using the station car park due to costly charges and parking in residential areas – with the advent of East/West Rail, this situation will be acerbated;
- No parking provision for Bletchley College students – a number of years ago, BPARA & Bletchley College petitioned the relevant train operator at Bletchley Station to reserve the barely-used level 3 of the car park for college students – the only response was to remove this level and there have been just the 2 levels ever since!
- Inadequate parking for those working in Sherwood Drive offices or in the Whalley Drive NHS facility who also park in residential areas;
- Inadequate parking for those using St Mary’s Church and Rectory Cottages in Church Green Road;
- Inadequate parking for patrons of the Eight Belles PH and Pasha restaurant in Buckingham Road;
- The use of Wellington Place car park off Water Eaton Road by the public is currently not possible as being used in the short-term as an East/West Rail storage depot – in the longer term, could this be utilised for students?
The wheels driving the Urban Design Framework/Prospectus for Central Bletchley were running slowly prior to Covid-19, (no criticism of Paul Hammond and his team intended as they have done a splendid job in pulling this project together and engaging with the community), and it is frustrating that there are so many opportunities for developing Buckingham Road/Sherwood Drive, but the only one currently on the drawing board is the proposed IOT!
We must have a parking solution for current and future users sooner, not later!
Cllr Allan Rankin has asked Iain Stewart, MP, to to use his contacts to try to discern if Network Rail are being constructive in this matter or not. BPARA will continue to support this proposed development and will continue to lobby relevant parties to achieve a satisfactory parking solution.
