West NeighBourhood PlaN 2016-2026

suBMissioN VersioN FeBruary 2018 Neighbourhood Plan

2 Part One - Background Figures

1.0 introduction 1. location in 2. Features of our area 2.0 West Bletchley today 3. our community - Pictogram Population Profile 4. strengths, Weaknesses, opportunities, challenges 3.0 Key issues and opportunities 5. our strategy

tables

Part Two – Vision, Strategy 1. delivery and Monitoring Framework & Objectives

4.0 our Vision and strategy

5.0 our eight Key objectives

Part Three – Policies

6.0 r ealising our Vision: the Policies of the Neighbourhood Plan

7.0 Building New homes

8.0 Protecting and renewing our Parks, gardens and Public spaces

9.0 : conserving and developing the heritage

10.0 retaining and creating New employment

11.0 reviving our local shopping centres

12.0 Protecting and developing community infrastructure

13.0 ensuring our streets are safe and accessible

14.0 Promoting high Quality and sustainable design

Part Four – Implementing the Plan & Monitoring

15.0 delivery of the Plan and Monitoring Framework

3 West Bletchley Neighbourhood Plan

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4 Foreword this is our Neighbourhood Plan for West Bletchley. it is a formal development Plan, and will help us shape and guide development for the next 10 years across our area. it will help us to ensure we have sustainable and well planned development that enhances our community and it will also help us to resist poor developments that would diminish our quality of life. this is the final stage in the preparation of the Neighbourhood Plan. We prepared a draft Plan in February 2017 and consulted on that Plan from 10th March 2017 to 21st april 2017. this submission Version of the Plan takes account of the comments we received and hopefully now fully addresses all of the key issues and provides a clear Vision, strategy and Policies to guide our area over the next 10 years or so. this is the version of the Neighbourhood Plan that we will submit for independent review by an examiner. the examiner can choose to hold a public hearing into the Plan, which will allow further consideration of the Plan, should that be necessary. it is for the examiner to decide if the Plan meets the tests required of it. should it meet those tests, then we will hold a local referendum to ensure the community supports the Plan before we formally adopt the Plan and put it into effect. this process will be undertaken over the next 12-months and we will post regular updates on our website, the details for which are provided below.

Chair

West Bletchley Parish Council

West Bletchley Council Offices 221 Whaddon Way Bletchley Milton Keynes MK3 7DZ

Email: [email protected]

Web: www.westbletchleycouncil.gov.uk

5 West Bletchley Neighbourhood Plan

6 Part 1 BacKgrouNd

7

1.0 introduction

1.1 This is Our Plan 1.2 Structure of the Neighbourhood Plan this is the Neighbourhood Plan for West Bletchley Parish in the Neighbourhood Plan is presented in four main parts: Milton Keynes. • Part 1 - provides the Background to the Plan has been prepared by West Bletchley Parish the Plan, including this introduction, council on behalf of the community of West Bletchley. the a description of our community and Plan sets out our vision, strategy and policies to direct consideration of some of the issues and and shape development within our parish over the next 10 opportunities we face; years. the Plan is a statutory document – it carries weight in decisions on planning applications and informs us, • Part 2 - is Our Vision, Strategy and Milton Keynes Borough council, other stakeholders and objectives; local people on the planning priorities in our area. • Part 3 - provides Policies to help the scale of change provided for in the Neighbourhood realise our Vision, and covering our key Plan is relatively modest compared with other areas of objectives; and the Borough. West Bletchley is a relatively stable, mature and settled community. there are specific places where • Part 4 - provides the Delivery and we consider change can and should take place and we Monitoring Framework. provide a framework to ensure that change is for the benefit of the local community as well as Milton Keynes as a whole, now and in the future. there are five appendices supporting the Plan, which are available in a separate document: the Plan has been prepared over the last four years and has involved a wide range of stakeholders and many local • Appendix 1 – lists the Evidence Base residents and businesses. We have held workshops to underpinning the plan; consider the scope and focus of the Plan, to discuss the issues, and to consider the drafts of the Plan before it was • Appendix 2 – provides the Basic finalised. We are grateful to those who have contributed to conditions statement; the Plan, and we hope it addresses properly the issues of most concern to our community. a list of the key evidence • Appendix 3 – provides our Consultation base is presented in appendix 1. statement

• Appendix 4 - provides our Sustainability statement; and

• Appendix 5 - Local Green Space Sites

9 West Bletchley Neighbourhood Plan

1.3 Neighbourhood Planning 1.4 What the Plan Does

Neighbourhood plans are a new form of planning. they the Plan provides our policies for the future of West allow local people to determine for themselves how their Bletchley to 2026. it sets out how we aim to ensure area should be developed. the powers to prepare a sustainable development across the neighbourhood area Neighbourhood Plan are given by the localism act 2011. as a whole. specifically, it identifies how we propose to: there are certain requirements that the Plan needs to follow. one of these is that the Neighbourhood Plan must • accommodate new housing, including be in line with higher level planning policy, which at a affordable homes; national level is the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), and at a local level is the Milton Keynes local Plan • include the redevelopment of some (2005) and the Milton Keynes core strategy (2013). garage courts for other uses; the Borough council is preparing an update of the Milton • encourage new investment in our local Keynes core strategy called ‘Plan : MK’, which will cover centres; the period to 2031 (which will also replace the local Plan (2005). if Plan : MK changes the policies affecting West • retain and develop new sites for Bletchley then this Neighbourhood Plan if adopted will employment; including potential to need to be reviewed to keep it up to date. regenerate the sites adjacent to Bletchley railway station; the Milton Keynes core strategy provides general policies that apply to West Bletchley as they do to the whole of • retain and enhance key open spaces; the Borough area, but there are no specific policies or including regenerating rickley Park; allocations in the core strategy affecting West Bletchley. the localism act allows the Neighbourhood Plan to • help conserve and develop the heritage of provide for our own specific policies and proposals in Bletchley Park; addition to the core strategy should we wish to. • maintain our community infrastructure; the Plan must also be in line with european regulations on strategic environmental assessment and habitat • ensure safe and accessible streets; and regulations. We have determined with Milton Keynes council that the Plan would not give rise to significant • ensure high quality sustainable design. environmental effects and therefore it does not require a sustainability appraisal. Nevertheless, we have identified how our plan will contribute to sustainable development, and we summarise this in appendix 4 available separately.

10 1.5 The Approval Process this is the submission Version of the Plan, and represents the final version of the Plan. We will now submit the Plan for independent examination by an examiner, who will assess the ‘soundness’ of the Plan, that is, does it meet the various requirements set by government and is it in accordance with existing adopted policy frameworks, and also is it a Plan that can achieve what it sets out to do. the examiner may choose to hold a ‘hearing’ to consider views and any remaining objections to the Plan. Following the hearing and the receipt of the examiner’s report, (which may include modifications as necessary to make the Plan sound), the Plan must then be the subject of a local referendum, and with a positive outcome, the Parish council can then formally adopt the Plan and put it into effect. as part of the development Plan, Milton Keynes council are also required to take it into account in their decision making. this final stage in the process could take up to 12 months, so we are aiming to have an adopted Neighbourhood Plan in place during 2018.

11

2.0 West Bletchley today

2.1 Overview 2.2 Setting our starting point is to understand our area; how it came West Bletchley is the second largest parish in Milton into being, how it relates to the wider town, the people who Keynes in terms of population, with 22,213 people, and live and work here, and the issues it faces now and how nearly 9,000 households at the time of the census in 2011. issues might change or arise over the plan period, as well in terms of area, at about 620 hectares, we are the sixth as identifying the opportunities available to local people to largest urban parish. our population density at nearly 36 enhance the quality of the parish. people per hectare (gross) makes us the highest in Milton Keynes.

the parish is located in the south west edge of Milton Keynes and our neighbours are the separate parish of Bletchley and Fenny stratford to the east and beyond the mainline railway, tattenhoe to the north of the h8 standing Way, the new estate at Newton leys built on the former brickfields to the south, and the rural parishes great horwood and great Brickhill, with to the west that are outside Milton Keynes in aylesbury Vale district. Most of the parish is housing but there are important employment areas in the eastern part near to the mainline railway station, and we are the home of Bletchley Park, the centre of the code Breakers in World War ii and now a museum and visitor attraction.

We have reviewed the character and qualities of our area in the West Bletchley character assessment (November 2017), which provides a more detailed description of our area, including its historical evolution, and an assessment of the character of the area as a whole, and of individual areas and neighbourhoods. the assessment also makes suggestions as to how the character can be improved. the character assessment provides a fuller description of the area for those who may be interested in gaining a more detailed appreciation of the area.

our location in the wider context of Milton Keynes is shown in Figure 1: Location in MK, and some of the main features are illustrated in Figure 2: Features of West Bletchley.

13 West Bletchley Neighbourhood Plan

2.3 Some History although now part of Britain’s largest new town of Milton an additional impact of the new town was the building of Keynes, Bletchley has always been an independent new housing estates around the periphery of Bletchley, town. its name originated from anglo saxon Blecca’s lea considerably increasing both its physical size and (meadow or clearing) and some buildings are known to population. Windmill hill golf course was designed by date back to the 13th century. sir henry cotton, built and opened to the public in 1972. it remains in the ownership of Milton Keynes council, it was originally a twin centred village with settlements although managed on a day to day basis by an external around the parish church of st Mary’s and also in the contractor. area known latterly as Far Bletchley. the area continued to develop under Norman rule alongside the nearby Bletchley’s “boom” ended when the new central Milton settlement of Water eaton. although connected throughout Keynes shopping centre was built and commercial several centuries by land ownership and the church, Bletchley has declined as a retail destination in recent the two settlements did not come together until the 20th years. century, when they joined with Fenny stratford. in 2001, parish councils were formed for all areas within the With the arrival of the london and North Western railway . Bletchley was considered too in 1845 and its subsequent junction with the Varsity line large to be served by a single parish council and was split between oxford and cambridge, Bletchley grew rapidly as into two – West Bletchley council and Bletchley and Fenny it serviced the new junction and Bletchley railway station stratford town council. was, for many years, an important node on the railway. it remains one of 4 stations servicing Milton Keynes. housing development has continued, within West Bletchley, over more recent years predominantly on land which was the station was clearly an important deciding factor in the previously part of Bletchley Park. siting of the government code and cypher school (now gchQ) at Bletchley Park. the work of the codebreakers Major commercial development has occurred in recent is now well documented in the history of World War 2 years, just outside the boundary of West Bletchley, as part and Bletchley Park has established itself as a successful of the stadiummk complex, and has included flagship heritage site with a national and international profile. it is the stores for asda and iKea, as well as more standard retail main visitor attraction within the borough of Milton Keynes units, a gymnasium and a cinema and restaurant complex. receiving over 250,000 visitors annually. the ongoing development of Bletchley was further boosted by considerable housing development during the 1950s and 1960s to accommodate the post war dispersal of population from london by the london county council. the town had hardly settled from this impact when the designation of Milton Keynes as a “third generation” new town was determined, with a target population of 250,000.

While the new town of Milton Keynes was being developed, Bletchley was the main commercial centre and commensurate development followed with a new shopping centre in the Queensway and large scale office blocks being built in sherwood drive and on Buckingham road. With these additional developments being centred around the railway station, it benefitted from further modernisation.

Old Bletchley relief at the station

14 M1 Motorway

CMK

West Bletchley

A5 West Coast Mainline East-West Rail

Figure 1: Location in Milton Keynes

15 West Bletchley Neighbourhood Plan

Figure 2: Features of Our Area

9

Furzton

4

2

Emerson Valley Shenley Road4

3

7

12 8

Tattenhoe10 Lane 1 Tattenhoe 5 1

West Windmill Hill Whadden Way Bletchley Golf Course

3 A421 Standing Way 6 Snellshall 4 West 5 5 Buckingham Road B4034

East-West Rail

2 Oxford

16 Major Parks

1 rickley Park

A5 2 chepstow Park 3 the leys

Denbigh 4 Barleyhurst Park Stadium MK North 5 tattenhoe lane Park

Whalley Drive Medical Facilities

1 Parkside Medical centre Asda 2 3 2 Bletchley community hospital

Ikea 3 Whaddon Medical centre

Local Centres

Denbigh 1 Whaddon Way 3 2 Melrose avenue

3 Buckingham road

Sherwood Drive Bedford 4 st. Marys avenue Street Saxon 5 chepstow community centre 1 1 V7 Bletchley Schools 2 Park Bletchley Bletchley Town Centre Railway 1 lord grey school Station 2 Barleyhurst Park school

Rickley Lane 3 abbeys Primary school MK College 4 romans Field school

5 chestnuts combined school West Coast Mainline

11 6 st. thomas aquinas catholic Primary school

7 White spire school

8 rickley Park Primary school

9 cold harbour church of East-West Rail Primary school

10 Milton Keynes Preparatory school

11 holne chase Primary school

12 cambian Bletchley Park school

17 West Bletchley Neighbourhood Plan

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18 2.4 Population Profile the table shows some of the characteristics of the population of the parish area from the 2011 census. compared with Milton Keynes Borough area as a whole: our population: in terms of employment:

• is generally older, with a higher proportion • we have fewer employed people and full of people aged 65 or over who live alone; time students;

• but has a lower proportion of people under • we have a higher number of retired 20; and people; and

• is less ethnically mixed. • more or our residents work in wholesale and retail trades, manufacturing in terms of housing and travel: construction, transport and storage, public admin, defence and social security, water • we have a higher proportion of home supply, sewerage and waste management owners; ; but

• we have a higher proportion who rent from • far fewer who work in Information and the council than private landlords; and communication and Finance and insurance activities; • car ownership is lower. • more residents work in intermediate in terms of health: occupations, for small employers and are own account workers; and • we have a higher number of people who report their day to day activities are limited • we have lower levels of supervisory and by poor health; and technical occupations; and

• we have a higher number of unpaid carers. • fewer residents are managers and senior officials, and in professional occupations. in terms of education:

• there are a higher proportion of people with 5 or more gcses (a*-c grades) and more with 1-4;

• we have more people completing apprenticeships; but

• there are fewer people with A-levels and a lot less with degrees;

19 Qualifications M ilt on K 6.3% ey n e Economic Activity 18.0% s None 5.0% Qualifications Age 1-4 GCSEs M ilto 17.8% 24.8% n es 5+ GCSEs (A*-C) 75.9% 18.7%K 28.2% W t B 6.3% ey le

72.9% t 0-14 n c e Apprenticeship 21%s h

Economic Activity 18.0% None l e y 15.9% 5.0% 11.0% 2+ A Levels Car / Van Ownership Age 17.4% 1-4 GCSEs 15-29 18.7% 24.8% 19.4% Degree 17.8% es 5+ GCSEs (A*-C) 4.5% 19.0% 75.9% 18.7% 28.2% W t B West Bletchleyle Neighbourhood Plan 17.3% Other 0

72.9% t 0-14 c Apprenticeship 18.9%

21% h 46.4%

l

e 30-64y 15.9% 11.5% 11.0% 48.5%2+ A Levels Car16.7% / Van Ownership 43.9% 17.4% 15-29 18.7% 3.4% 17.5% Degree 43.2% 19.4% 4.5% 19.0% 17.3%65-85+ 27.1% 0 11.1% Other 28.1% 46.4% 24.1% 18.9% 30-64 11.5% 29.8% 48.5% 16.7% 43.9% 3.4% 6.1% 17.5% Active Inactive 43.2% 65-85+ 6.0% 27.1% 11.1% West Bletchley 28.1% 24.1% 29.8% 2.2% Milton Keynes Dwelling Type M 1.9% ilt on 6.1% Qualifications Active Inactive K M Ethnicity ey il n 6.0% to 16.1% e n s K West Bletchley 6.3% ey n 86.5% e 28.2% s 80% Economic Activity 2.2% 18.0% None Milton Keynes Dwelling Type 12.7% Qualifications M 1.9% M 5.0% ilt 23.8% ilt on Age on 1-4 GCSEs K est K e W B Qualifications Ethnicity y le 6.3% ey n t n 17.8% 24.8% 16.1% e c M e 5+ GCSEs (A*-C) h i es s Bad 75.9% lto 18.7% s 28.2% W t B

Economic Activity l 18.0% None l

22.8% e n e

72.9% t y K 86.5% 0-14 e c Apprenticeship 28.2% 6.3% 5.0% y 21% h

80% n l

Age e 1-4 GCSEs e 12.7% y Economic Activity 18.0% s 15.9% 23.8% 27.4% Occupation None 11.0% 2+ A Levels Car / Van Ownership 17.4%24.8% es 5.0% 17.8% es 5+ GCSEs (A*-C) Managers & Senior Officials W t B 75.9% 40.6%18.7% Detached 28.2% 15-29W t B 12.3% 1-4 GCSEs 18.7% le Age le 10.9% Degree t 72.9% 19.4%t c 0-14 6.6% c 4.5% 19.0% h Apprenticeship

Bad 21% h 13.4% Professional l

Semi-Detached17.8% 24.8% l 8.5% 17.3% e

22.8% es e 5+ GCSEs (A*-C) Other 0

75.9% y 18.7% 28.2% W t B 8.8% y 15.9% 18.9% le 46.4%11.8% 2+ A Levels 72.9% 28.1% 9.3%11.0%t Car / Van Ownership 0-14 Terraced c Apprenticeship 18.2% Associate Professional & Technical

21% 17.4% h 30-6411.4% 11.5% l

27.4% 15-29 e 18.7% 48.5%11.2% 16.7% Occupation y 15.9% Degree 43.9% 19.4% Flats 4.5% 2+ A Levels Admin & Secretarial 40.6% Detached 12.3% 11.0%Managers & Senior7.9% Officials 9.4% Car3.4% / Van Ownership19.0% 17.4% 10.9% 17.3% 0 43.2% 20% 18.7% 17.5% 13.9% Other 15-29 6.6% 11.6% Degree Skilled Trades 18.9% Semi-Detached Tenure - Housholds19.4% 13.4% 8.5% 46.4% Professional 65-85+

27.1% 4.5% 8.8%30-64 11.5% 11.1% 19.0% 28.1% 11.8% 48.5% 24.1% 17.3% Caring, Leisure0 & Other Services 13.5% 16.7% Other 28.1% 9.3% 18.2% Associate Professional & Technical West Bletchley 13.5% 18.9% 43.9% Terraced 11.4% 46.4% 8.8% 29.8% 3.4% Sales & Customer Service Milton West 30-64 17.5% 11.2% 11.5% 43.2% Flats 48.5% Admin & Secretarial16.7% 12.6% Keynes Bletchley 7.9% 65-85+9.4% 43.9%

70.4% 6.1% 27.1% Process, Plant & Machine Operatives 20% 11.1% 13.9% 11.6%Active Inactive Skilled 3.4%Trades 28.1% Tenure - Housholds 24.1% 17.5% 43.2% 6.0% Black or Minority Ethnic Heritage 63.8% Milton Keynes 65-85+ West Bletchley Elementary Qualifications 29.8%

27.1% Caring, Leisure & Other Services

13.5% 11.1% West Bletchley 13.5% Qualifications 28.1% M 24.1% i White 8.8% M lto 2.2% Milton Keynes ilt n Milton West Sales & CustomerDwelling ServiceType on 29.8% 6.1% K M 6.3% ey 1.9% Active Inactive 12.6% il K n Keynes Bletchley Ethnicity to 6.3% ey e 70.4% n 6.0% EconomicProcess, Activity Plant & Machine Operatives K n 18.0% s None e e HouseholdWest Size Bletchley Economic Activity Ethnicity y 18.0% s 6.1% 16.1% n None Black or Minority Ethnic Heritage 63.8% Active Inactive Milton Keynes e 5.0% Elementary Milton s 2.2% 1-4 GCSEs Milton Keynes QualificationsAge 5.0% 6.0% Qualifications Dwelling Type 86.5% Age M 1-4 GCSEs White West Bletchley M Keynes 28.2% il 1.9% M 80% il to 17.8% 24.8% il to 12.7% n es 5+ GCSEs (A*-C) to n 75.9% 17.8%18.7% 24.8% K 2.2% 28.2% W t B n Milton Keynes K 6.3%es e 5+ GCSEs (A*-C) le K 75.9% e 23.8% Qualificationst B y e Ethnicity 72.9% W t Dwelling Type y 18.7% 28.2%0-14 n c 6.3% y Ethnicity n le Apprenticeship n 16.1%M West e h 72.9% t 1.9% M e 0-14 es 21% c s e

Economic Activity il t 18.0% i l t s W B ApprenticeshipNone l e s

o l Economich Activity to 18.0% None

n 21% e n y 15.9% Household Size l

18.1%

18.2%

K Bletchley t e

17.6%

86.5% c K e 5.0% y 15.9% e 11.0% 2+ A Levels Ethnicity Milton y 28.2% Bad h 6.3% y 5.0%Car / Van Ownership 80%

n Age l 17.4% 1-4 GCSEs n

16.1% e 11.0% 2+ A Levels Car / Van Ownership 1-4 GCSEs

e 12.0% 22.8% e Age 12.7% y 18.7% Economics Activity 17.4% 15-29 18.0% s None Keynes 23.8% Black or Minority Ethnic Heritage 19.4% 18.7% Degree 86.5% 15-29 24.8% Owner Occupied / Rented Council / Rented Private 17.8% es Degree5+ GCSEs (A*-C)4.5% 17.8% 19.0%24.8% 5+ GCSEs (A*-C) 75.9% 28.2% 19.4% t B 5.0% 80% es 18.7% 28.2% 4.5% W es 2.5 People 2.5 People W t B le 75.9% 17.3% 18.7% 19.0% 28.2% 0 W t B Shared Ownership12.7% Housing Associationle 27.4%White Age Occupation 1-4 GCSEs Other le

72.9% t 0-14 17.3% c t 72.9% 0 18.9%t c Apprenticeship 0-14 c West 23.8% 21% h 46.4% Other Apprenticeship h Managers & Senior Officials h

Bad 40.6% Detached l 12.3% 18.9%

e 21%

l

l 46.4% 24.8% e e 30-64 17.8%

y 15.9% 11.5%10.9% 5+ GCSEs (A*-C)

18.1%

18.2% Bletchley es 22.8% y t y es

17.6% W B 75.9% 30-64 28.2%48.5% W t B 15.9% le 18.7% 11.5%11.0% 6.6% le 2+ A Levels 16.7% Car / Van Ownership 43.9% t 13.4% Professional 11.0% 2+ A Levels Car / Van Ownership 72.9% 48.5% Semi-Detached t 8.5% c 17.4% 0-14 16.7% c 43.9% 12.0% h Apprenticeship 17.4%

Bad 21% 18.7% 8.8%h 3.4%

l 15-29

l 11.8% 18.7% Black or Minoritye Ethnic Heritage 43.2%

22.8% 27.4% 3.4% e Degree 15-29 y Occupation 28.1% 17.5% 9.3%

Owner Occupied / Rented Council / Rented Private 19.4% Terraced4.5% y 15.9% 18.2% 19.4% Associate19.0% Professional43.2% & Technical Degree 2.5 People 2.5 People 17.5% 65-85+ Managers11.0% & Senior11.4% Officials 2+ A Levels Car / Van Ownership4.5% 19.0% Shared Ownership Housing Association 40.6% Detached 27.1% 12.3% 17.3% 0 White 65-85+ 17.4% 10.9% 11.1% Other 11.2% 17.3% 28.1% 0 27.1% 11.1% 24.1% 18.7% Admin 18.9%& Secretarial Other 27.4% Occupation 15-2946.4%6.6% Flats 46.4%28.1% 18.9% 24.1% Professional7.9% 9.4% Degree Semi-Detached30-64 19.4%13.4% 8.5% 11.5% 4.5%

20% 13.9% 29.8% 40.6% Detached 8.8% Managers & Senior Officials 11.6% 30-64 19.0% 11.5% 12.3% 48.5% 11.8% 16.7% 17.3% Skilled Trades48.5%29.8% 43.9% 28.1% Tenure - Housholds9.3% 10.9% Associate Professional & Technical Other 0 16.7% 43.9% Terraced 6.6% 11.4% 46.4% 18.2% 18.9% Semi-Detached 13.4% 8.5% Professional3.4% Caring, Leisure & Other43.2% Services 3.4% 6.1% 13.5% Active 17.5%Inactive8.8% 30-64 11.2% 11.5% W y 43.2% Flats 11.8% Admin & Secretarial8.8% est Bletchle 13.5% 17.5% 6.1% Active 28.1%Inactive 65-85+9.3% 48.5% Associate Professional & Technical 16.7% 65-85+ 43.9% 6.0% 27.1% Milton TerracedWest 11.1% 7.9% 9.4% 18.2% Sales & Customer Service 11.4% 27.1% 6.0% 20% West Bletchley 13.9% 11.1% 28.1% 24.1% 11.6% Skilled Trades3.4% Qualifications12.6% 28.1% West Bletchley Keynes Bletchley 11.2% 24.1% 43.2% Tenure - Housholds Flats 70.4% 17.5% Admin & Secretarial M 2.2% ilProcess,t Plant29.8% & Machine Operatives Milton7.9% Keynes 9.4%65-85+ Dwelling Type Qualifications on2.2% 29.8% 27.1% Caring, Leisure & Other Services

20% 13.9% 13.5% Milton Keynes 11.1% K Black or Minority EthnicDwelling Heritage Type 63.8% 11.6% West Bletchley 13.5%Skilled TradesM Milton Keynes M e 28.1% 1.9% 24.1% 8.8%Health ilt il 6.3% Elementaryy Tenure - Housholds M on to 1.9%6.1%n ilt K Sales & Customer Service n e 6.1% Milton West Active Inactive Economic Activityon e K 18.0% s 29.8% White Ethnicity K Caring, LeisureActive &y Other ServicesInactive 6.3% e None 13.5% 12.6% n y Keynes Bletchley Ethnicity eWyest Bletchley 13.5% 16.1% e n 6.0% 6.0% 70.4% 8.8% n s 5.0%e West Bletchley Economic Activity16.1% e Process, Plant & Machine Operatives 18.0% s None Milton West s SalesAge & CustomerWest Bletchley Service 1-4 GCSEs 86.5% Ethnicity 6.1%

63.8% Active Inactive Milton Keynes 28.2% 5.0% 50.2% 86.5% Black or Minority Ethnic Heritage 80% 12.6% 2.2% Keynes Bletchley Milton Keynes Elementary 24.8%1-4 GCSEs 2.2% 70.4% 28.2% Age 12.7% 17.8% 6.0% 80% Household Size Dwelling Type Process, PlantMilton & Machine Keynes Operatives es 5+ GCSEs (A*-C) 75.9% Dwelling Type t B 12.7% M 23.8%18.7% 28.2% W l 1.9% White West Bletchley ilt 43.9% Milton e M 1.9%

72.9% o t i 24.8% c l Black or Minority Ethnic Heritage 63.8% 23.8% nMilton Keynes 0-14s 17.8% 5+ GCSEst o(A*-C) Apprenticeship K e t es h n

75.9% W ElementaryB 21% 28.2% W t B 2.2% e 18.7% l l K

38.0% e Ethnicity es Keynes le e

Milton Keynes W t B y t Ethnicity e 72.9% t y 16.1% Dwellingl Type n 0-14 c c 15.9% y e Ethnicity 34.9% n e h 16.1% Apprenticeship White t M Bad h c s 21% 11.0% e 2+ A Levels1.9%

i l Car / Van Ownership l l e s

Bad h to 22.8% 17.4% e

n y 86.5% y

Household Size l 15.9% e

22.8% K West 86.5% 18.7% y 28.2% e 15-29 2+ A Levels 80% Qualifications Ethnicity y 13.5% 11.0% 28.2% Degree Car / Van Ownership Ethnicity Milton n 19.4% 80% 12.7% 16.1% 17.4% 34.9% 4.5% 18.1% M e 18.2% Bletchley 12.7% 19.0% ilt 23.8% 17.6% 15-2927.4% s 18.7% Household Size on Keynes Occupation 17.3% Degree23.8% Other 0 K 27.4%86.5% 19.4% Occupation 4.5%

12.0% 18.9% es 3.7% Managers & Senior19.0% Officials 6.3% e MiltonW t B 28.2% 40.6% 3.2% 46.4%Detached 12.3% y 80% l Black or Minority Ethnic Heritage West B n e 1.0% 0.9% 17.3% Managers & Senior Officials10.9% 0 e 40.6%t 12.7% Detached 30-64 12.3% 11.5% Otherle Owner Occupiedc / Rented Council / Rented Private t s Keynes 10.9% 6.6% c 18.9% Economic Activity 18.0% None Bad h West 46.4% 48.5% 16.7% Professional 23.8% 13.4% 8.5%h

2.5 People 2.5 People l 6.6% Semi-Detached Bad 43.9% Shared Ownershipe Housing Association

22.8% White l

8.8% e

y VerySemi-Detached 30-64Good Fair Bad 13.4% 8.5%Very 11.5% Professional 18.1% 5.0% 18.2% 22.8% Bletchley es y 11.8% 17.6% W t B 48.5%8.8% 3.4% Age 1-4 GCSEs le 28.1% 11.8% 9.3%16.7% Associate Professional & Technical43.9% 43.2% West Good t 17.5% BadTerraced 18.2% 28.1% c 9.3% 11.4% 12.0% Associate Professional & Technical

Bad Terracedh 65-85+ 18.2%3.4% 27.4% l 11.4% 11.2%

Black27.1% or Minority Ethnic Heritage Occupation 17.8% 24.8% e 43.2% 18.1%

5+ GCSEs (A*-C)18.2% Bletchley 22.8% 11.1% 27.4% Occupation 17.6% es y 17.5% Flats Admin & Secretarial 75.9% t OwnerB Occupied / Rented Council / Rented Private 11.2% 28.1% 18.7% 28.2% W 24.1% Qualifications Managers & Senior Officials 2.5 People 2.5 People le 40.6% FlatsDetached65-85+ 12.3% 7.9% Admin &9.4% Secretarial Managers & Senior Officials

72.9% t 40.6% Detached 12.3% 27.1% M

20% 13.9% 0-14 Sharedc Ownership HousingApprenticeship Association12.0% White 11.1% 7.9% 9.4%il 10.9% 11.6% 10.9% h to Skilled Trades 28.1% 29.8%

21% 24.1% 6.6%

20% Black or Minority Ethnic Heritage 13.9% l n

e 27.4% TenureSemi-Detached - Housholds K13.4%Occupation11.6% 8.5% SkilledProfessional Trades 6.6% Owner Occupied / y Rented15.9% Council / Rented Private e 13.4% 8.5% Professional Tenure - Housholds 6.3% 8.8% y Semi-Detached 2.5 People 2.5 People 11.0% 2+ A Levels Car / Van Ownership 40.6% Detached n 11.8% 12.3% Managers & Senior Officials Caring, Leisure & Other Services29.8%8.8% Shared Ownership Housing Association White13.5% 28.1% 9.3% e W 6.1% 11.8% 17.4% Economic Activity Terraced 18.0% s 18.2% 10.9% Caring,8.8%Associate Leisure Professional & Otherest Blet cServices &hl e28.1%Technicaly 13.5% 9.3% 13.5% Active Inactive None Associate Professional & Technical 15-29 18.7% 11.4% West Bletchley 6.6% 13.5% Terraced 11.4% 18.2% Degree Milton West 8.8% 13.4% 8.5% Professional Sales & Customer Service 6.0% 19.4% 4.5% Semi-Detached5.0% 11.2% 6.1% 11.2% Milton West Active AgeInactiveWest Bletchley19.0% Flats 1-48.8% GCSEs SalesAdmin & Customer& Secretarial Service12.6% Admin & Secretarial 17.3% Keynes 0Bletchley 7.9% 9.4% 11.8% Flats Other 28.1%70.4% Terraced 9.3%12.6% 18.2% Associate Professional & TechnicalProcess, Plant & 7.9%Machine6.0% Operatives9.4% Keynes20% Bletchley 18.9% 13.9% 2.2% 70.4% 11.4%

20% 13.9% 46.4% West Bletchley 17.8% 24.8% 11.6% Process,Skilled TradesPlant & Machine Operatives 11.6% Milton Keynes es 5+ GCSEs (A*-C) 11.2% Skilled Trades 75.9% 30-64 11.5% Tenure - HousholdsBlack or Minority18.7% Ethnic Heritage 63.8% 28.2%Dwelling Type W t B Tenure - Housholds Milton Keynes Flats le M Admin & Secretarial Elementary 2.2% 1.9% 48.5% 63.8% Militon Keynes Black16.7%72.9% or Minority Ethnic Heritage t lt Milton Keynes0-14 43.9% c 7.9%o 9.4% Caring, Leisure & Other Services 13.5% n Apprenticeship Elementary h Caring, Leisure & Other Services

Dwelling Type W 13.5% y 20% 21% est BKletchle 13.5% 13.9%

White 8.8%l W y

3.4% Ethnicity Mi e e 11.6% Skilled Trades 1.9% 8.8% est Bletchle 13.5% lt y 15.9% y 17.5% WhiteMilton West Tenure - Housholds 43.2% 16.1%on n Sales & Customer Service 11.0% K Milton Weste 2+ A Levels Car / Van Ownership Sales & Customer Service e s 65-85+ Ethnicity 17.4% y 12.6% Caring, Leisure & Other Services 12.6% 27.1% Keynes Bletchley 13.5% Ethnicity 86.5% 11.1% 70.4% 15-29 16.1% n Keynes18.7% Bletchley West Bletchley 13.5% 28.1% e 8.8% 70.4% Process, Plant & Machine Operatives 24.1% Ethnicity 28.2% Degree 19.4% 80% s Process, Plant & Machine Operatives Milton West Household Size 4.5% 12.7% Sales19.0% & Customer Service 86.5% HouseholdBlack or MinoritySize Ethnic Heritage 63.8% 29.8% Milton Keynes 17.3%28.2% Black 23.8%or Minority Ethnic Heritage 12.6%Milton Elementary63.8% 0 Milton Keynes Keynes Bletchley 80% Other 18.9% Elementary 70.4% 46.4% 12.7% Milton White West B Keynes Process, Plant & Machine Operatives 23.8% Whitele 30-64 6.1% 11.5%Keynes t c Black or Minority Ethnic Heritage 63.8% 48.5% Milton Keynes

Active Inactive West B Bad 16.7% h Elementary 43.9% l

6.0% le 22.8% e t Ethnicity y West c 3.4% Ethnicity

West Bletchley White Bad h West 43.2%

17.5% l e 18.1% Household Size 22.8% 18.2% Bletchley

17.6% 65-85+ 2.2% y Household Size 18.1% 18.2% Bletchley 27.1% Milton Keynes 11.1% 17.6% 27.4% Milton Occupation Milton

Dwelling Type 12.0% Ethnicity 28.1% M 24.1% 1.9% Managers & Senior Officials ilt 12.0% Keynes 40.6% Detached Black or Minority Ethnic Heritage12.3% on Household Size 27.4%Owner Occupied / Rented Council / Rented Private Occupation 10.9% Keynes K Black or Minority Ethnic Heritage 29.8% e Owner Occupied2.5 / PeopleRented2.5 Council People / Rented Private 6.6% Ethnicity y Shared Ownership 40.6%Housing Association DetachedMilton White12.3% 13.4% Managers & Senior OfficialsProfessional 16.1% n 2.5 People 2.5 People Semi-Detached 10.9% 8.5% e Shared Ownership Housing Association WestWhite 8.8% s Keynes 6.6% 6.1% 11.8% West 28.1%Semi-Detached 13.4%9.3% 8.5% Professional Associate Professional & Technical

86.5% Active Inactive Terraced 18.2% 18.1% 18.2% Bletchley

17.6% 8.8% 11.4% 18.1% 28.2% 18.2% Bletchley 17.6% 80% 11.8% 6.0% 11.2% 12.7% 28.1% 9.3% 18.2% Associate Professional & Technical West Bletchley 12.0% TerracedWest Flats Admin & Secretarial

11.4% 12.0% 23.8% 9.4% Black or Minority Ethnic Heritage 7.9% 11.2% Black or Minority Ethnic Heritage

20% 2.2% 13.9% 18.1% Owner Occupied / Rented Council / Rented Private 18.2% Bletchley West B Milton Keynes 17.6% Flats Owner Occupied / Rented Council11.6% / Rented PrivateAdmin & Secretarial Skilled Trades le 2.5 People 2.5 People Dwelling Type 7.9% 9.4% t Shared Ownership Housing Association Tenure - HousholdsWhite2.5 People 2.5 People c M Shared Ownership Housing Association1.9% White 12.0% 20% il 13.9%

Bad h to 11.6% Skilled Trades l n Black or Minority Ethnic Heritage Caring, Leisure & Other Services 13.5%

22.8% e K Tenure - Housholds W y y Owner Occupied / Rented Council / Rented Private est Bletchle 13.5% Ethnicity ey 8.8% 2.5 People 2.5 People 16.1% Shared Ownership n Housing Association all information derived Caring, Leisure & Other Services 13.5% Milton Weste White Sales & Customer Service s West Bletchley 13.5% 8.8% 12.6%

27.4% Occupation 86.5% Keynes Bletchley Figure 3: Our CommunityMilton - PictogramWest Population28.2% Profile70.4% from the 2011 census. Sales & Customer ServiceProcess, Plant & Machine Operatives 40.6% Detached 12.3%80% Managers & Senior Officials 12.6% 10.9% Keynes Bletchley12.7% 70.4% 63.8% Milton Keynes 6.6% Black or23.8% Minority Ethnic Heritage Process, Plant & MachineElementary Operatives 13.4% Professional Semi-Detached 8.5% est 8.8% Black or Minority EthnicW HeritageB 63.8% Milton Keynes 11.8% White le Elementary t 28.1% 9.3% Associate Professional & Technicalc

Terraced 11.4% 18.2% Bad h l

White 22.8% e 11.2% y Ethnicity Flats 20 Admin & Secretarial 7.9% 9.4% Household Size Ethnicity

20% 13.9% 11.6% 27.4%Skilled Trades Occupation Milton Tenure - Housholds Household Size 40.6% Detached 12.3% Managers & Senior Officials Caring, Leisure & Other Services 10.9% Milton Keynes 13.5% West Bletchley 13.5% 6.6% 8.8% Semi-Detached 13.4% 8.5% Keynes Professional Sales & Customer Service 8.8% Milton West 11.8% West Keynes Bletchley 12.6% 28.1% Terraced 9.3% 18.2% Associate Professional & Technical 70.4% 18.1% 11.4% 18.2% Bletchley Process, Plant & Machine Operatives 17.6% West 11.2% Admin & Secretarial

Flats 12.0% 63.8% M s 18.1% Black or Minority Ethnic Heritage ilton Keyne 18.2% Bletchley Elementary 17.6% 7.9% 9.4% Black or Minority Ethnic Heritage

20% 13.9% Owner Occupied / Rented Council /11.6% Rented Private White 12.0% Skilled Trades Tenure - Housholds 2.5 People 2.5 People Shared Ownership Housing Association Black or Minority EthnicWhite Heritage Owner Occupied / Rented Council / Rented Private Caring, Leisure & Other Services 13.5% 2.5 People 2.5 People W Ethnicity Shared Ownership Housing Association 8.8% est Bletchley 13.5% White Household Size Milton West Sales & Customer Service Milton Keynes Bletchley 12.6% 70.4% Process, Plant & Machine Operatives Keynes

63.8% M Black or Minority Ethnic Heritage ilton Keynes Elementary West White 18.1% 18.2% Bletchley 17.6% Ethnicity 12.0% BlackHousehold or Minority Ethnic Size Heritage Owner Occupied / Rented Council / Rented Private 2.5 People 2.5 People Milton Shared Ownership Housing Association White Keynes

West 18.1% 18.2% Bletchley 17.6%

12.0% Black or Minority Ethnic Heritage Owner Occupied / Rented Council / Rented Private 2.5 People 2.5 People Shared Ownership Housing Association White 2.5 Local Shopping 2.6 Health there is no central focus for shopping and other uses, and We have a community hospital on Whalley drive near lord our neighbourhoods are served by five small local centres. grey school, and two large medical centres - Whaddon the largest is on Whaddon Way at its junction with Warwick Medical centre and Parkside Medical centre, serving the road at the geographical centre of the parish. in addition to parish and areas beyond. local shops and a post office, this site is the location for a social club, community centre and children’s activity centre, with the parish council’s offices also situated close by. the second largest centre is situated in Melrose avenue in close proximity to the parish community resource centre and two local social clubs. the other 3 centres are situated south of the Buckingham road.

More modern nearby local centres at Furzton and emerson Valley help serve the north of our area and have local convenience shops and meeting places. there are various other individual convenience shops throughout the parish.

Bletchley town centre is beyond the eastern edge of the parish and provides a larger supermarket (sainsburys) and a range of local and national shops. the modern district centre at is also only a grid square away to the north west of our area and has a large supermarket (Morrisons) and several other major stores.

MK1, developed alongside the Milton Keynes stadium is also a major shopping and leisure destination not far from our area and asda - MK’s largest superstore, is alongside.

Chepstow Local Centre Whaddon Medical Centre

21 West Bletchley Neighbourhood Plan

2.7 Schools and Learning 2.8 Community Facilities and Places of Worship We have seven primary schools, one secondary school, there are community centres at Porchester close and one preparatory school and three schools for children with chepstow drive and a community resource centre special needs. the schools serve their neighbourhoods located in Melrose avenue. We also have a youth centre, and each is well attended and are generally smaller than activity centre and five social clubs. Places of Worship most primary schools across the rest of Milton Keynes. include st Mary’s church, all saints church, Whaddon Way the secondary school is the lord grey school in the east church, st andrews Baptist church, Freeman Memorial of the area and neighbouring secondary schools also Methodist church and a Kingdom hall of Jehovah’s serve our area including leon school and sports college, Witnesses. school and st. Paul’s catholic school. Milton Keynes college’s Bletchley campus is adjacent to Bletchley Park and provides a range of post-16 vocational courses.

Chestnuts Primary School Church of St. Mary

22 2.9 Open Spaces and Parks 2.10 Heritage

We have several parks and open spaces spread widely there is one conservation area and 31 statutorily listed throughout the area. chepstow Park has achieved green buildings within the parish. county Flag status, and we have a number of other parks and council designated the Bletchley conservation area in open spaces ranging in size up to eight hectares and February 1992. the conservation area includes old offering a wide range of amenities including woodlands, Bletchley and Bletchley Park including the house and large flower meadows and exercise equipment. Within our area parts of the wartime code-breaking site. are sports grounds, a golf course, outdoor bowls green as well as four allotment sites and many play areas for all Most of the listed buildings are within Bletchley Park, ages. on 1st June 2014 West Bletchley council took on although there are also groups at church green, church responsibility from Milton Keynes council for the landscape Walk and along the Buckingham road. maintenance of the parks and open spaces within the Parish.

Chepstow Local Park Bletchley Park

23 West Bletchley Neighbourhood Plan

2.11 Employment Areas 2.12 Getting Around all of the employment areas are concentrated on the east the layout of our area is traditional; there are no grid roads, of our area. there are modern offices on Buckingham road most crossings are ‘at grade’ and there are only short and Water eaton road, on sherwood drive and at denbigh lengths of redway and underpasses on the northern and hall at the junction of the a421 and Watling street. there eastern edges where we connect with adjacent areas. our is also a Fire service hQ and Police station alongside the streets are largely conventional routes carrying all vehicles, railway station. the local centres also provide many jobs. cyclists and pedestrians. Many homes built in the 1960s there are also established large employment areas north and 1970s also had lower parking provision, and parking to of our area at snelshall and to the east at denbigh and the rear of the houses in parking courts. Bletchley town centre and MK1 are close by. two busy routes cross the area; the B4034 Buckingham road from saxon street to a421 standing Way; and, crossing the Parish diagonally, Whaddon Way. Both routes carry considerable amounts of traffic through what is a predominantly residential area. there are regular bus services throughout the area with buses to and Bletchley town centre, where there is a bus station.

Bletchley station is a main line West coast station, and has services to london euston, Manchester and Northampton. the first leg of the reinstated east-West passenger line from oxford to Bedford also proposes new platforms linked to Bletchley station and will considerably enhance the wider regional and national accessibility of Bletchley.

Offices on Buckingham Road Buckingham Road

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25

3.0 Key issues & opportunities

3.1 Overview 3.2 Needs of an Ageing Population there are several issues that arise from our appraisal and like the rest of Milton Keynes and the as have figured prominently in our consultations during the a whole, older people are an increasing proportion of the preparation of the Neighbourhood Plan. these are outlined overall population, and a high proportion of people over below. the strengths, Weaknesses, opportunities and 65 are living alone. this gives rise to particular needs. challenges are summarised in Figure 4. Many existing homes are unsuited to older people’s needs and may be too big and expensive to adapt. an older population has greater demands for accessible healthcare, is less mobile and relies more on public transport and older people place a greater reliance on local shops and other facilities.

We want to ensure that where homes are provided they also meet the needs of older people. Where opportunities arise for new housing, these should take account of the needs of local people first. homes specifically designed for older people should be adaptable and accessible. there may also be opportunities for elderly persons housing that may also have heath care provided alongside, and sites close to local facilities and on local bus routes will be encouraged to provide homes for elderly people.

27 West Bletchley Neighbourhood Plan

3.3 Poorer Local Centres, Facilities 3.4 Training, Jobs and Employment and Services Provision our two larger local centres at Melrose avenue and unemployment levels within the community are higher Whaddon Way offer a range of local shops. occupation than the average for Milton Keynes. the skills of local of both centres has varied considerably in recent years. people are also generally lower, and there are fewer higher Vacancies have at times been high and some of the units qualified, higher occupational groups than Milton Keynes have lower order uses that do not provide mainstream as a whole. educational attainment is also lower. Whilst the shops or services to local people. Both centres have number of people with 5 gcses or more is higher than the poorer parking arrangements with limited capacity, and Milton Keynes average, educational attainment is lower at a shabby public realm. it is important that local shopping a level and degree level. this is partly a reflection of the is viable and continues to meet the need for shops and housing opportunities available locally, but the availability facilities that local people want and need. the centres of good local jobs, good schools and training provision are also include housing above the shops, so improvement also factors. and redevelopment can be more complex and impact those who live there. opportunities elsewhere for new retail We want to ensure there are jobs available within our area development are limited. and halt the loss of employment sites, which makes our area potentially less sustainable. We want to ensure that We would like to see new investment in the Melrose avenue local people are able to access local jobs and training and Whaddon Way centres to bring them up to a modern opportunities when they arise, especially when new standard and to cater for attractive modern shops and investment is made in the area. businesses that people want and need. Milton Keynes council owns both these main centres.

Melrose Local Centre

28 3.5 Declining and Derelict Garage 3.6 Conserving and Developing Courts Bletchley Park Many of our garage courts are in a poor condition. Poor Bletchley Park housed British codebreaking operations original design and a lack of maintenance has made them during World War two. it was where the government code unattractive for many householders. that in turn leads to and cypher school (gc&cs - the forerunner of gchQ) less use and eventually dereliction and abandonment. worked to decrypt enemy signals that played a major role Many garages are also not suitable for cars and are used in the allied victory. for general storage. of a total of 39 garage courts there are 21 sites still in use but 3 sites have already been re- But for many years the significance of the site wasn’t fully designated, 4 sites are out of use and a further 11 sites are appreciated and buildings were threatened and sites sold underused. this means nearly half (46%) of all the garage off for other development. Many of the main buildings are sites are in poor condition and action to address the listed and the site is within a conservation area. situation is needed. the Bletchley Park trust works to conserve the site and Milton Keynes council owns and is responsible for the interpret its heritage for visitors – which numbers over maintenance of the parking courts. they have brought 250,000 annually. a recent £8 million investment has forward redevelopment proposals for sites in Berwick drive, enabled the first phase of restoration of the site and has Kenilworth drive and Whaddon Way. several other courts secured the most fragile wartime buildings and developed may offer opportunities for redevelopment for housing or new facilities for visitors. other uses. We have asked MK council to undertake an assessment of all the garage sites so that their future can the trust has a ten-year master plan to develop the site be planned comprehensively and local people can be with an investment strategy to attract over £20 million by properly informed about what is proposed. it is important 2025. this project aims to restore and open important that as sites are brought forward the impacts are properly buildings on the site for the first time, drive a range of assessed and if parking is displaced, those affected have activities for the local community and attract a younger and alternative opportunities to park close to where they live more diverse audience to Bletchley Park, with the aim to and that new developments also provide sufficient parking attract up to 350,000 visitors per annum by 2023. spaces. the challenge is to continue and build on the park’s successes and ensure it can continue to grow and develop, and that the impacts of development remain acceptable. We want to ensure where there is potential for wider benefits these are secured and infrastructure improvements are brought forward that can support the plans, such as at the railway station, that can contribute to the accessibility and attractiveness of the area.

Garage court at Buckfast Avenue

29 West Bletchley Neighbourhood Plan

3.7 Enhancing the Station Area 3.8 Increasing Traffic and Accessibility the railway station is a mainline stop for london Midland the main routes through our area carry a considerable trains with services to Birmingham, Bedford, Northampton amount of traffic (for example 400 vehicles during the peak and london euston. the station and the accessibility train period on Whaddon Way between 4pm and 7pm) and have services bring are important factors influencing investment been traffic-calmed with narrowings and speed humps in the local economy and in making Bletchley an attractive to improve safety. cyclists and pedestrians also use the place to live. routes so making them safe is critical. increases in traffic within the area affect the accessibility to local facilities, slow regeneration strategies for Bletchley town centre in 2006 down public transport and bring additional noise and air and 2010 both identified the station as a key catalyst to pollution, reducing the overall quality of our environment. securing new investment in the town centre. however, essential station improvements never happened and Major growth is being promoted to the west and south-east consequently little related investment resulted. that may affect us in West Bletchley. Much of this isn’t in Milton Keynes but the neighbouring authority of aylesbury importantly, there is a new catalyst for change. east-West Vale district, although it is contiguous with the MK urban rail services will be re-instated on a stretch of the old area so to all intents and purposes, is part of the city. it ‘Varsity line’ between oxford and (initially) Bedford through isn’t yet clear if this development will go ahead or not; that Bletchley and eventually on to cambridge, within a few depends on aylesbury Vale district council or even the years. New station platforms are to be constructed on the secretary of state. however, from our perspective, it is eastern side of the station. Bletchley will therefore be at the important that new developments within and alongside our centre of an axis between two of Britain’s most successful area do not lead to unacceptable increases in traffic though and famous universities and fastest growing economies. our area and deterioration in the local environment. this provides a renewed impetus to respond to the improved accessibility to both improve the existing station and station forecourt / square, and bring sites alongside the station forward for new development that responds to the superb enhanced accessibility of our area.

Bletchley Railway Station

30 3.9 Poorer Quality Open Spaces and 3.10 Deteriorating Public Realm Parks West Bletchley has several major parks and many other large parts of West Bletchley were developed in the early open space areas. Not all of the open spaces are well post war period and have seen little re-investment in the used and some have been poorly maintained in the past. public realm of streets, street furniture, signage and small some of the larger parks have had little investment and open spaces since that time. the character assessment provide only basic level amenities. the parish has an identifies that in some areas the quality and maintenance of open spaces strategy which provides an assessment of the public realm is poor and needs a thorough renewal/ re- open space and sports facilities set against recommended fresh to enhance the character. the loss of street trees and standards of provision in accordance with National the progressive negative effects of gardens being paved Planning Policy guidance. local people value good quality over to create parking also diminishes the street character open spaces and we wish to ensure open spaces network and specific attention is needed to halt the loss of greenery is improved and well looked after. in general from the street environment, a feature which remains one of the main characteristics of the area. We want our parks and open spaces to meet the needs of local people and provide attractive, safe and high quality environments for the whole community.

Rickley Park

31 West Bletchley Neighbourhood Plan

Figure 4: Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunites, Challenges

Strengths Weaknesses

• Stable, settled, mature population • Poorer quality of local shops and facilities, limited range • Established area, strong individual neighbourhoods • Lack of an identifiable centre and focus for the area, provision is spread • Good quality housing with larger, generous gardens, a good place for • Poorer quality open spaces families • Lack of employment opportunities • People generally happy/content • Poor appearance and legibility of Station • Well located on edge of city but also environment and gateway to Bletchley access to mainline railway station Park

• Bletchley Park, which has a national and • Deteriorating public realm international profile

• Popular schools, Milton Keynes College

• Some successful local businesses

Opportunities Challenges

• Modernised parks • Ageing population, few opportunities to stay in area for care • Bletchley Park visitors and heritage significance/national profile • Pressure on facilities and social care

• Station access and new East West rail • Decline of local facilities including connectivity shopping and community facilities

• New employment opportunities on • Traffic impacts, quality of street redevelopment sites environments

• Infill housing opportunities to meet local • Weak employment base, dated needs commercial premises needing re- investment

• Opportunities pass us by – no ‘local dimension’ or benefits

• Obsolescence – garage courts, shopping areas

Figure 4: Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Challenges

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33 West Bletchley Neighbourhood Plan

34 Part 2 VisioN, strategy & oBJectiVes

35

4.0 Vision & strategy

4.1 Vision 4.2 Strategy the Neighbourhood Plan is guided by an overall vision our strategy is to encourage more homes and jobs, geared for West Bletchley that can be expressed in the following to local needs, helping our area adapt to change and to statement: capitalise on our strengths and the unique opportunities, including Bletchley Park and the rail accessibility nationally and regionally, and we want to safeguard our Our Vision of West Bletchley is a thriving, existing employment areas. We want to ensure that our successful, stable, balanced and attractive place neighbourhoods remain attractive places to live and are that continues to meet the needs of the local well served by accessible and modern shopping, parks community with a full range of opportunities for and other community facilities, and remain pleasant places housing, local shopping, employment, education to live and bring up a family. and training, play and recreation. Most of the investment in new facilities will be from the We are a community that respects and protects private sector, although we will seek to use our own its important historic places and other areas with resources where we can to facilitate and support change, distinct character and local amenities, ensuring such as our role in looking after the parks in our parish, and they can contribute to the cultural life and appeal to lever in further investment in support of our Plan from our of the area. partners and other stakeholders. We have addressed the structures and financial implications of the Plan and set out We will be well connected with surrounding areas our delivery and Monitoring Framework in section 15 and and communities, with safe, pleasant streets, table 1. an attractive railway station, good quality public transport services, walking and cycle routes. our Plan sets out overall policies to guide and shape development and ensure it is of a high quality with specific We will benefit from new development that policies for the key ‘opportunity areas’ where major meets the needs of our community first as it change is expected within the parish. evolves and changes along with those of the wider district, and where that development is Figure 5: Our Strategy, illustrates our area-wide strategy appropriate and contributes to the quality of life and the focus of our policies. of the West Bletchley community.

37 West Bletchley Neighbourhood Plan

G3 G3 G3

G2 G3 G3 G2 G3 * 6 G1 G3 G3 G3 G3 G3 G3 G3 G3G3 G3 G3 G3 G3 G3 9 G3 G3 G3 G3 G3 G3

1 G3 G3 G3 G3 G3 12 G3 G3 G3 G3

G3 G3 G3 G3 G3 4 7 G3 G3 G3 8 3 G2 G3

G3 G3 G3 G3 G3 G3 G3 G3 G3

2

5 G1 G1 G3 11 G3 10

Figure 5: Our Strategy

38 Key

Policies

Building New Homes Garage Courts Policies gc1-gc5

G1 garage Blocks already developed

G2 garage Blocks identified for development

G3 other garage Blocks

Policy BNh2 - Wellington Place G3 G3 G3 Protecting and Renewing Our Parks, Gardens and Public Spaces Policies Pr1-Pr5 G2 G3 Parks G3 G2 G3 * 6 G1 local green space G3 G3 G3 G3 1. tweed drive / Mersey Way G3 G3 G3 2. st. clements drive G3G3 G3 3. rear of hunstanton Way G3 G3 4. shenley road G3 G3 5. Whiteley crescent 9 G3 G3 6. Buckfast avenue G3 G3 G3 7. avon grove G3 8. gleneagles 1 G3 G3 9. Forfar drive G3 G3 G3 12 10. st. clements / chepstow drive G3 11. Wincanton hill G3 G3 12. Flowers Walk G3 Bletchley Park: Conserving and Developing G3 the Heritage Policies BP1-BP3 G3 G3 A Retaining and Creating New Employment G3 G3 4 Policies e1-e4 7 G3 G3 Station Quarter G3 Policies Bs1-Bs4 B* * 8 3 Renewing Our Local Shopping Centres G2 G3 Policies lsc1-lsc4 G3 G3 Protecting and Developing Community G3 G3 G3 Infrastructure G3 Policies c1-c2 G3 G3 G3 Ensuring our Streets are Safe and Accessible Policies ssa1-ssa3 2

Opportunity Areas 5 G1 G1 G3 garage courts 11 G3 A rickley Park 10 B Bletchley station Quarter

Note: the strategy Plan identifies the specific spatial application of our strategy, there are also policies that apply across the whole area that are not shown on the plan or listed, and for those the text should be referred to.

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5.0 our eight Key objectives

5.1 Overview our Plan aims to address the key issues facing our parish over the next 10-15 years. some of the issues are evident now and others will emerge over the plan period, so our aim is to create a framework that allows us to anticipate and deal with those issues of most significance to the people of West Bletchley. some of the issues affect us all and are national issues such as an ageing population, and some are local such as the quality of our local centres. these are our objectives; they are not in order or priority and all are important and many are inter-related.

1. Building New Homes – we want to provide for a 5. Reviving our Local Shopping Centres – we range of new homes that reflects the needs of our want our local centres to be strong locations for community, and particularly to encourage new shopping and other commercial facilities and homes with facilities that meet the needs of our we will support appropriate new investment to ageing population; upgrade them;

2. Renewing our Parks, Gardens and Public 6. Protecting and Developing Community Spaces - we want to reinvest in upgrading Infrastructure – we will protect the important social our parks and open spaces, creating attractive infrastructure that serves our community, including and sustainable places to enjoy – we propose meeting places, health facilities, education and upgrading key parks and open spaces to extend places of worship. - their use by the local community in accordance with our open spaces strategy and proposed green infrastructure strategy. 7. Ensuring our Streets are Safe and Accessible 3. Conserving and Developing the Heritage of – we want to ensure our streets remain safe and Bletchley Park – we will support the continued attractive and ensure significant developments are conservation and heritage development of located where they are accessible and are on bus Bletchley Park and its setting and seek to ensure routes. that benefits arise for local people and that necessary improvements are made to local infrastructure to support the development as a major attraction; 8. Promoting High Quality and Sustainable Design - we want developments of a scale, form and 4. Creating New Employment – we want to appearance that adds to the character of the encourage new jobs within our area, and exploit area. We will protect the special environments the tremendous opportunities for new investment including listed buildings and the conservation and regeneration. the focus for investment will be area and other features that add to local character. Bletchley station and the opportunities east West We will look for design briefs to be prepared and rail will bring, and in addition we want to protect agreed with us for all the major developments and existing viable employment sites and buildings, regeneration sites to ensure the best outcomes. encourage new business space including We will support the right development in the right space suitable for small innovative and creative place, and apply the presumption in favour of companies. sustainable development.

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