BPARA has had a long-time desire to raise funds to purchase the former Cricket Pavilion site, a small mature woodland, surrounded by unattractive metal railings, on the corner of Buckingham Road and Sherwood Drive. It was once part of the Bletchley Park Estate, and houses the Cricket Pavilion, which was severely damaged by a fire in 2017, and the cricket playing field is now Bletchley College.
The trees, although covered by Tree Protection Orders, are choked with ivy and no maintenance is carried out. The site is longer on MKCC’s Heritage at Risk Register as the Cricket Pavilion was classed as “beyond repair” and MKCC were unwilling to take any action. Although the site is in the Conservation Area, successive owners have allowed it to become a derelict eye sore – see photos below. The area in photo 1 is now occupied by a trailer.
In the last year, BPARA has discussed these aspirations with various parties and learnt that there have been no applications to develop the site since an unsuccessful application in 2012.
However, the site is now being marketed by Taylors Estate Agents. The guide price is £500,000 although the present owner bought the site for only £50,001. www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/166429565#/?channel=COM_BUY, as follows:
“A Pre-Application submission has been positively received by Milton Keynes City Council. The conclusion of the Pre-App report states:
The principle of development is broadly supported, subject to further evidence as outlined in the report. No formal design has been provided, and a robust justification would be needed in relation to impacts on heritage assets and their significance, the character of the area, along with removal of the protected trees given their amenity, ecological and biodiversity benefit they presently provide.”
This is an exceptional opportunity for developers or investors to create a bespoke residential scheme in a highly accessible and regenerating part of Bletchley.
Alternative uses could also be considered subject to planning consents.
The owner is inviting conditional/unconditional offers for the Freehold interest and will consider an option/STPP deal or a JV.”
