Central Bletchley Prospectus
Draft
Central Blecthley Illustrative Plan N
Recreation and Open Space Existing buildings
Trees/Vegetated Areas Built Form Context
Improved Public Realm Public Proposed multi storey car park Proposed Built Form
Private Proposed Multi-Storey Parking / Garden
0m 100m Central Bletchley Prospectus - Draft
2 Central Bletchley Prospectus - Draft
Foreword I am delighted to share our exciting Prospectus for Central Our vision is to create a thriving and vibrant ‘town within Bletchley with you. a city’ with genuine sustainable travel options and a strong link to its technology heritage - the proposed establishment Bletchley is a town situated in the south of Milton Keynes, of Milton Keynes College Institute of Technology at Bletchley a city with one of the most dynamic and fastest growing Park, a digital learning hub at the centre of the UK’s cyber economies in the UK. It is, probably, best known for being history which is underpinned by a grant of £28 million the top-secret home of the World War Two Codebreakers from the Department for Education, already represents a and the birthplace of the modern-day computer. significant step in that direction.
Some eighty years later and Bletchley now sits at the heart With the above aims in mind, this Prospectus identifies the of the Oxford to Cambridge Arc which, as recognised by the key opportunities for change that are seen as central to the National Infrastructure Commission, has the potential to successful transformation of Central Bletchley as well as transform this area of England into a hub of knowledge- some of the placemaking themes. intensive industry that can compete on the world stage; the UK’s equivalent to Silicon Valley. Milton Keynes Council is committed to working with partners and interested parties to ensure we can capitalise on the In the near future, East-West Rail - “a railway through significant transformational opportunities that will flow the ‘brain belt’ of Britain” - will provide Central Bletchley from East-West Rail and to deliver on our ambitions for with strong and direct rail links to Oxford and Cambridge Central Bletchley. alongside its existing West Coast mainline link to the Euston “Knowledge Quarter” in London. Cllr M. Gowans As a major transport interchange Central Bletchley will benefit from unrivalled connectivity within the wider region and beyond. That connectivity will underpin growth and Milton Keynes Council Cabinet Member/Portfolio Holder for serve as a catalyst for transformational regeneration and Planning & Transport redevelopment.
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A Strategic Opportunity
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Situated at the heart of a ‘world-class’ The new transport interchange will act as Cambridge to Oxford Arc, Central Bletchley a catalyst for investment that will drive will be a major public transport interchange regeneration and comprehensive mixed-use which benefits from unique connectivity redevelopment. in the wider region and beyond. Central Bletchley’s connectivity ‘edge’ will comprise: Central Bletchley -a unique growth opportunity at the heart of the arch. • Direct East-West Rail services to Cambridge and Oxford providing a 40-minute journey time to both cities;
• A new ‘eastern entrance’ to Bletchley Railway Station which provides convenient access to direct East-West Rail services to Cambridge and Oxford and better public transport integration with a relocated bus station;
• An improved existing railway station on the West Coast mainline services which enables the Euston ‘knowledge Quarter’ in London to be accessed within 30 minutes;
• Mass Rapid Transit links to Central Milton Keynes and other local destinations.
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Illustrative Perspective of Central Bletchley Transport Interchange 6 Central Bletchley Prospectus - Draft
Table of Contents Vision Statement 2 1.0 Introduction 6 1.1 The Wider Context 1.2 Aims of the Prospectus 1.3 The Central Bletchley Area
2.0 Bletchley, then, now and in the future 10 2.1 Central Bletchley’s History 2.2 Central Bletchley Today 2.3 Central Bletchley Tomorrow 2.4 A Vision for Central Bletchley
3.0 Building on Local Views & Aspirations 16
4.0 Bletchley Place Making Aims / Themes 20 4.1 Place Making Aims / Themes 4.2 Illustrative Plan
5.0 Key Areas of Improvement 24 5.1 Seven Key Opportunity Areas 5.2 Opportunities in brief
6.0 Delivery and Implementation 26
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1.0 Introduction 1.1 The Wider Context
Bletchley will play a key role at the Bletchley is located on the southern E A NORWICH hub of this Arc due to its location ST edge of Milton Keynes. C O LEICESTER A at the intersection of strategic east- S T ‘Different by Design’, - Milton Keynes
M west and north-south rail routes, M I PETERBOROUGH A was established over 50 years ago. D I LA N linking key centres of economic N D L I Its population is increasing. BIRMINGHAM M N activity in London, Birmingham, A IN E L Oxford and Cambridge. COVENTRY IN Currently home to 267,500 people, W E ES T C its population is increasing rapidly. Milton Keynes Council is seeking O AS ROYAL The aim is to expand to 500,000 T to enable the transformational LEAMINGTON E
SPA M residents - a city that’s bigger than A regeneration of Central Bletchley C H IN NORTHAMPTON CAMBRIDGE L Edinburgh, Cardiff or Liverpool. IL over the next 10-15 years in T IN BEDFORD E E R conjunction with the proposed N That’s only part of Milton Keynes’
M SANDY A IPSWICH remarkable story. Milton Keynes delivery of East-West Rail (EWR) I N BANBURY services. The key point about EWR is L is one of the fastest growing IN MILTON E KEYNES Bletchley economies in the UK, producing that it will provide Central Bletchley £11.24bn of Gross Value Added with unique connectivity that will BICESTER (GVA) in 2015 and £12.14bn of GVA link key centres of economic activity, in 2016. Milton Keynes had the both within and beyond the South highest percentage growth in jobs East Midlands Local Enterprise OXFORD (29.19%) of any city between 2010 Partnership area. and 2016. This locational advantage will
Furthermore, Milton Keynes is facilitate the local appetite for located at the heart of the Oxford- change in Central Bletchley. Cambridge Arc which the National Milton Keynes Council is therefore, LONDON Infrastructure Commission seeking to promote future described as the: UK’s Silicon Valley, development within Central an area of national and international Main line Railway Bletchley through the preparation of Oxford Line importance with exceptional growth a development prospectus with the Oxford Cambridge Central Bletchley’s Strategic Location figure 1 potential. aim of capitalising on the increased Ark accessibility and connectivity created by EWR. This will act as a catalyst for
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new investment in Central Bletchley that will benefit both the existing community as well as new residents, Central Bletchley is located workers and visitors.
within Bletchley on the southern Redhouse The investment in Central Bletchley Park that will flow from its locational edge of Milton Keynes. As can Blakelands benefits will help deliver Milton Oakridge Park be seen in Figure 1 & 2, Central Great Linford Tongwell Keynes Council’s current priorities 8 A5 A50 Bolbeck Old Wolverton New Bradwell Park of a “Healthy Place”, an “Affordable Stantonbury Bletchley is located on the West Pennyland Willen Pineham Stonebridge Willen Bradville Park Neath Hill Place” and a “Place of Opportunity.” Old Stony Blue Bridge Stratford Downhead WOLVERTON Coast Main line at the strategic Wolverton Linford Wood Park Brooklands If embraced and managed well East- Mill Bancroft Downs Barn Newlands Greenleys Stacey West Rail offers a once in a lifetime junction with the historic east- Bushes Heelands Hodge Conniburrow Fullers Broughton Slade Lea Bradwell opportunity to regenerate Bletchley. Bradwell Abbey Broughton Kiln Farm Bradwell Woolstone west rail connection*, with the Gate Common Middleton Wymbush Rooksley Oakgrove A5 located just to the north of Two Mile Ash Kingston Magna Park Loughton Fishermead Monkston Monkston Lodge Park Great Holm Brinklow Eaglestone the town and the M1 Motorway Oldbrook Woughton on-the-green Loughton Kents Hill Crownhill Winterhill Leadenhall Walton Hall Wavendon located approximately 10 Gate Knowlhill Woughton Shenley Park Walnut Hall Church End Tree Grange Farm Walton minutes away to the north-east. The Bowl Old Farm Simpson Hazeley Shenley Bleak Beanhill Park Medbourne Lodge Hall Oakhill Ashland Walton Park Browns Shenley Wood Woods Redmore Woodhill Tilbrook Denbigh Shenley Granby North Mount Farm Brook End Furzton Denbigh *The East West Rail project will Hall Caldecotte Oxley Park Fenny Fenny Lock Emerson Valley West Denbigh re-establish Bletchley’s position Westcroft Stratford Bletchley East Central Bletchley
Kingsmead at a key junction of the national Tattenhoe BLETCHLEY Far Bletchley
Tattenhoe Water rail network. Eaton Park A421
Newton Leys
Bletchley’s Location within MK– figure 2
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1.2 Aims of the 1.3 The Central Bletchley Area prospectus
1- To help influence, guide and The extent of the Central Bletchley The Central Bletchley area covers It should be noted that whilst the promote change within area has been determined by two two existing Parishes in Milton Central Bletchley Prospectus Area Central Bletchley. factors: Keynes, Bletchley and Fenny includes most of the Town Centre Stratford Town Council to the east it also includes land to the west of
2- To enthuse landowners and 1- The proximity to existing and 2- The location of potential of the railway line and West the West Coast railway line, which potential investors about the proposed public transport development and regeneration Bletchley Council to the west of the is outside of the town centre as regeneration and development infrastructure. sites. railway line. defined in local planning policy. opportunities within Central Bletchley which will deliver on the aspirations of both the existing community as well as potential new residents, workers and visitors.
3- To provide greater certainty for potential investors and developers about the types of development that are likely to be acceptable within the prospectus area. This will reflect local opportunities and aspirations and key placemaking themes that will shape future development.
4- To effect local change in Central Bletchley where there is a desire for new housing, retail, employment, transport infrastructure, leisure and public realm improvement opportunities.
Queensway Central Bletchley
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It should be noted that whilst the Central Bletchley Prospectus Area includes most of the Town Centre it also includes land to the west of the West Coast railway line, which is outside of the town centre as defined in local planning policy. Princes Way
Saxon Street
Sherwood Drive
Queensway
Buckingham Road
Holding image
Queensway Central Bletchley The Central Bletchley Area – figure 3
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2.0 Central Bletchley then, now and in the future
2.1 Bletchley’s History 2.2 Central Bletchley Today
Bletchley’s growth from a small 50 acres of surrounding land were Strong foundations exist: hamlet is a result of the arrival of bought by the Government Code and Cypher School (GC&CS) for the London and North Western Location wartime operations. Bletchley Park, The Institute of Technology will bring Railway and Bletchley’s location on Central Bletchley is already located The famous code-breaking facility significant investment into Bletchley the historic junction with the Oxford- Following the war the areas of on the West Coast mainline and is located directly to the north west as well as world leading brands such Cambridge ‘Varsity line’. land not in government ownership provides direct services to London of Central Bletchley and has been as Microsoft and KPMG. This could developed rapidly from around 1955 and Birmingham. It has an existing Historically Bletchley is known for transformed into a significant tourist act as a catalyst for new technology onwards, although the land around bus station within the town centre being the home of the ‘codebreakers’ destination which currently receives related small & medium size Bletchley Park was developed that provides good bus services in World War II. In order to break more than 250, 000 visitors per enterprises (SME’s) within Central at a relatively low density, with to Central Milton Keynes. It is the Nazi’s coded messages the year. One of the reasons Bletchley Bletchley. significant open spaces surviving. also within easy access of the M1, first modern computer was built at Park was chosen for the WWII Bletchley was included in the A421, A5 and A4146 which provide Bletchley Park by Alan Turing. Until codebreakers was its location at the “designated area” when the “New vehicular access to the other key the mid twentieth century Bletchley mid point between the intellectual Stadium MK City” of Milton Keynes was founded regional cities and towns. was a small settlement in a rural hubs of Oxford and Cambridge in Located within walking distance in 1967. The rural setting gradually setting. Much of the land associated addition to having excellent rail links of Central Bletchley, the stadium transformed into suburban housing with Bletchley Park remained to London. contains a ‘first class’ sporting arena Great Amenities undeveloped and intact. In 1938 the developments. which is primarily home to the MK Queensway is a pleasant tree lined estate was sold to a local developer Dons Football Team, but has been An exciting recent development sees ‘high street’ with wide pavements and in 1939 the house and a further a venue for the Rugby World Cup, Bletchley Park Milton Keynes College preparing to and a fairly diverse and often European Rugby, England U-21 and restore a currently empty wartime independent offer that meets most Women World Cup fixtures. The building in Bletchley Park, Block resident’s daily needs, (see photo, complex also includes the Marshall D, transforming it into an Institute page 10). At its eastern end it is Arena which has also hosted the of Technology. This will provide anchored by Bletchley Leisure National Badminton Championships an inclusive centre for technical Centre which includes a 25m and numerous concerts with qualifications, apprenticeships and swimming pool. international artists. training to plug the growing gap between demand and supply for key technical and digital roles, including cyber security.
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Capitalising on New supporting a larger residential 2.3 Central Bletchley Tomorrow – The Strategic Opportunity Transport Infrastructure population.
The proposed Expressway between The advantages accruing from Oxford and Cambridge will pass EA The East-WestNORWICH Rail Link present south of Bletchley and will make ST C significant, once in a generation, O Bletchley more accessible by road. LEICESTER A S opportunities for regeneration T
M In addition, as part of Milton M and redevelopment within Central I PETERBOROUGH A D I Keynes’s ambitious growth strategy LA N Bletchley. The delivery of East- N D L to 2050 there is a desire to deliver I BIRMINGHAM M N West Rail will mean investment A IN E a city-wide Mass Rapid Transit L in the existing station as well as a COVENTRY IN (MRT) service which would provide W E new eastern entrance which will ES T C connections between Bletchley, O transform the arrival points for AS ROYAL Central Milton Keynes (CMK) and T workers, commuters, residents LEAMINGTON E other locations in Milton Keynes. SPA M and visitors. East-West Rail will A C H IN NORTHAMPTON CAMBRIDGE L help enable Central Bletchley to HS2 (subject to the review) will free IL T IN BEDFORD E E be a convenient, accessible and as R up capacity on the West Coast N a result a vibrant town centre. It M Mainline improving commuting SANDY A IPSWICH will have new workspace, retail, an services between Central Bletchley I N BANBURY L expanded evening economy as well and London Euston. IN MILTON
E as community and leisure facilities KEYNES Bletchley C W E S M E A H I L I D L A N S T T T C C E R N O O A A S M S M T T A I A I
BICESTER N L I N ELY L I N E
E NORWICH MILTON KEYNES CENTRAL WOBURN BEDFORD SANDS RIDGMONT OXFORD WINSLOW CAMBRIDGE PARKWAY BIECESTER VILLAGE OXFORD BLETCHLEY OXFORD IPSWICH AYLESBURY VALE PARKWAY
AYLESBURY
LONDON LONDON LONDON LONDON LONDON PADDINGTON MARYLEBONE EUSTON ST PANCRAS KINGS CROSS
WESTERN SECTION Journey Times Time CENTRAL SECTION LONDON EASTERN SECTION Bletchley to London Euston 40mins (approx)
OXFORD CAMBRIDGE ARC Bletchley to Birmingham New St 1h10mins (approx) EXPRESSWAY Bletchley to Oxford 40mins (approx) CORRIDOR Bletchley to Cambridge 40mins (approx) Bletchley location in relation to new transport Infrastructure - figure 4 Bletchley travel times chart – figure 5 13 Central Bletchley Prospectus - Draft
Opportunity Sites for With attractively priced housing role to play in helping deliver on this Part of this policy enables new Development compared to London, Oxford, agenda, but it can also cater for the residential development at densities Cambridge and even CMK, this is changing demographic which will of 150-250dph. Central Bletchley offers a significant an opportune time for landowners, see more young people move to the amount of underdeveloped / developers and investors to area and offer a different lifestyle to underutilised and / or brownfield capitalise on a favourable that which much of Milton Keynes empty sites and buildings which Plan:MK - Policy SD16 development market in Central currently provides. Central Bletchley are primed to capitalise on the CENTRAL BLETCHLEY PROSPECTUS AREA figure 6 Bletchley for residential and office has the potential to deliver a mixed locational advantages presented uses. use community offering a variety of by East-West Rail and other Development within the Central Bletchley Prospectus urban house types. proposed investment in transport The locational advantages of Area will be guided by the following principles: infrastructure. East-West Rail also extend to the The Milton Keynes Council Plan potential for new office space within (2016 – 2020) has 3 key aims for 1. The density of residential development to be 150-250 Development of these sites will Central Bletchley, particularly SME Milton Keynes, one of which is “An dwellings per hectare. provide the opportunity to deliver space that capitalises on Bletchley Affordable City”. This maintains all further benefits for the existing Park’s technology heritage USP. residents being able to live in a good 2. Improved pedestrian connections and legibility. Bletchley community through home at a price they can afford to improved pedestrian connectivity rent or buy, and businesses being 3. Improved public realm. and a better quality of the public able to access high quality, affordable realm within Central Bletchley. A Favourable Development premises that meet their needs. 4. Refurbishment and /or redevelopment of key sites and Environment Central Bletchley can help deliver on buildings. Milton Keynes is located centrally this. 5. Exploring options for the early redevelopment of the within the Cambridge – Milton Housing Affordability Both national and local planning Police and Fire Station sites. Keynes – Oxford Corridor which is policy is supportive and places East-West Rail will bring Oxford and projected to accommodate 1 million emphasis on the importance of Cambridge within a 40 minute train 6. Exploring the potential of existing infrastructure new homes by 2050. optimising development and place- commute from Central Bletchley to help enable and unlock residential-led mixed use making in and around transport hubs while London Euston is only 40 There is an opportunity for places development opportunities. and this reinforces the potential for minutes away via the West Coast like Central Bletchley with its significant change within Central Mainline. A potential Mass Rapid locational advantages to help deliver 7. Further improve the quality of pedestrian routes to Bletchley. Transit (MRT) network will improve on this growth commitment. and from Bletchley Station. links and journey times to and from Milton Keynes itself has ambitious Recognising the positive regeneration Bletchley and other destinations in 8. Development should not preclude the delivery of an growth plans which will see the impact East West Rail has on Central Milton Keynes, including CMK. ‘eastern entrance’ to Bletchley railway station. population of the borough and its Bletchley Milton Keynes Council has included a policy within its new Local wider area grow from 270 000 to 9. The development will provide green infrastructure in Plan (Policy SD16) specifically relating 500 000 by 2050. line with Policy NE4, providing wellbeing benefits through to the regeneration of Central Central Bletchley not only has a key access to nature Bletchley.
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Central Bletchley Opportunity Sites
1. Retail Park
2. Remitone
3. Burger King
4. Octavia 1 5. Surface level Car Park
6. Co-op 2 3 7. Brunel Centre 12 4 8. Sainsburys 16
15 5 9. Vodafone
10. MK College 6 14 17 11. Police & Fire Station
11 12 Network Rail 10 7 13. Chandos Place 13 14. Queensway 8 9 15. Bus Station 18 16. Saxon Street
17. Wilkinsons
18. Buckingham House
Bletchley Opportunity Sites- figure 7 15 Central Bletchley Prospectus - Draft
2.4 Central Bletchley - The Vision
This vision represents a glimpse The area has the potential for a of what might be possible, if younger residential demographic. To offer an alternative but complementary lifestyle the opportunities arising from This will help sustain a diverse Bletchley’s locational benefits are range of shops, bars, coffee shops, to much of Milton Keynes: create a desirable, grasped. restaurants, niche retail and SME’s (that have built a strong identity Unrivalled, transport connectivity higher density, metropolitan urban hub around around the digital and technology will act as a catalyst for investment sector that made Bletchley Park that will drive regeneration excellent transport links that revitalises the town famous). This could make Central and comprehensive mixed-use Bletchley a destination in its own redevelopment. centre for existing and new residents, workers and right for all residents across Milton Central Bletchley will be a thriving Keynes. and vibrant urban area, offering visitors to Central Bletchley. New commercial development sustainable lifestyle options and in close proximity to the train choices fit for the 21st century. station will provide significant and These options will be enabled by the valuable employment opportunities. close juxtaposition of new housing Direct connectivity to world-class and employment opportunities with innovation centres located in the major new transport hub and Oxford, Cambridge and Milton the existing town centre. Keynes will see Central Bletchley New, high quality, housing in higher fulfil its potential to become a density forms - possibly provided significant technology hub which as part of mixed-use development builds on the enduring legacy of the schemes - and focussed around the pioneering computing work of Alan public transport hub will provide Turing and the Codebreakers at greater housing diversity and choice Bletchley Park. for both new and existing residents. An eastern train station entrance Future housing will help to support will be accompanied by a new bus public transport and vice versa as station adjacent to it on the western well as make for a more active, side of Saxon Street creating a high vibrant and viable town centre. quality modal interchange from which a rapid transit service will transport people to CMK in a matter of minutes. Illustrative Sketch, looking down Queensway towards the railway - figure 8 16 Central Bletchley Prospectus - Draft
Pedestrians exiting the new eastern entrance will be welcomed into a rejuvenated town centre across a remodelled pedestrian friendly Saxon Street.
The west end of Queensway (i.e. Bletchley’s ‘high street’) will be opened up and reconnected with the environs of the railway station and the public transport interchange at the station’s new ‘eastern entrance’. This ‘reconnection’ will improve the western gateway to the town centre and facilitate ease of movement between West Bletchley and the town centre; it will help to reinvigorate retail and other uses in the primary shopping area and encourage a thriving night-time economy.
Investment in and improvements to pedestrian routes and the public realm will create a safe, walkable, environment which will encourage people to walk to nearby services and facilities thereby reducing Pedestrians exiting the new eastern entrance will be welcomed into the reliance on car usage within the town centre. town centre across a remodelled Saxon Street via a vibrant pedestrian On the western side of the railway friendly path flanked by ground floor mixed uses. This eastern line a more welcoming train station will provide a high quality public entrance link will provide the opportunity for reconnecting Queensway realm link to Bletchley Park. New and improved pedestrian routes will provide improved links to the with Buckingham Road. town centre delivering attractive and accessible pedestrian routes for everyone. Illustrative Sketch, looking across Saxon St towards Queensway - figure 9 17 Central Bletchley Prospectus - Draft
3.0 Building on local views & aspirations
Central Bletchley Challenges
We have engaged with key stakeholders within Central Bletchley to better understand the challenges, and aspirations of Princes Way the area. The feedback from this process has informed the content of the Prospectus.
They have told us of the following challenges: (see pg19).
Saxon Street
Sherwood Drive
Existing buildings
Empty building
Transport Node Queensway
Node
Barrier
Active frontage
Inactive frontage
Redway Buckingham Road Pedestrian route
Landmark
Poor quality gateway
Gateway
Poor quality pedestrian environment
Poor quality pedestrian link
Improved pedestrian environment (‘FTL’)
Lack of quality street frontage
Inward looking building
Poor quality through route and space
Bletchley Site Analysis and Constraints Plan- figure 10 18 Central Bletchley Prospectus - Draft
captured a flexible approach to entrance: the town centre is located quality pedestrian routes between More investment needed Sense of Arrival to be Improved existing local planning policy may be on the eastern side of the railway Queensway and Buckingham Road, Whether arriving by foot, car, bus As with many high street required at the planning application line, however the station is on the Queensway to Stephenson House or train, the area generally offers a environments across the UK, a lack stage particularly with regard to western side which means that and south of Sainsbury’s which poor sense of arrival. of significant investment has been a early developments. the opportunity to capture the undermines the through movement feature. However, there are positive commuter pedestrian footfall in the of people into Queensway. signs and there has been some town centre is substantially reduced. Railway Line and Saxon Street to High Quality Transport investment into the town centre, The quality of pedestrian routes be used to help integrate Central Interchange Required for example, the recent opening between the existing station and the Bletchley town centre is not good enough. of a Wetherspoons in Queensway Pedestrian links need to be The bus and train stations are and the residential market has The railway lines and the nature improved located on the different sides of started to recently react positively in of Saxon Street combine to sever the railway line with no direct link. On key desire lines the quality of More vibrancy and activity within recognition of the locational benefit Central Bletchley either side of this Consequently, pedestrians have a pedestrian routes and resulting the Public Realm Central Bletchley possesses given infrastructure. lengthy walk to interchange between public realm experience is poor. the East-West Rail scheme. There is a lack of a sufficient number the two stations, this result in a A contributing factor has often of homes as well as an evening disconnected public transport hub. been the positioning and design of Viability Need for an Eastern Station economy in Central Bletchley which adjacent buildings. Entrance undermines the activity and vibrancy In order to underpin the Prospectus The positioning and design of of the public realm. and ensure that the future locational There a disconnect between buildings has resulted in poor benefits of Central Bletchley are the town centre and the station
Lack of Eastern Station Entrance Poor quality pedestrian links Lack of vibrancy and activity within the Poor sense of arrival Poor modal interchange There a disconnect between the town Poor pedestrian routes. Including public realm. The quality of the public Whether arriving by foot, car, bus or Disconnected public transport modal centre and the station entrance. those to the existing Rail Station. realm particularly at the western end train the area has a poor sense of interchange. of Queensway is poor. arrival.
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Engaging with key stakeholders • Local stakeholders welcome proposals for a new has established the following eastern train station entrance aspirations and needs of the local community. • It is important for the existing western train station entrance to also be improved – to deliver a high quality gateway to Bletchley Park
• Saxon Street and development that faces it needs to deliver a welcoming and pleasurable environment
• The character of Central Bletchley will be enhanced through identifying and evolving the essence of its unique identity
• Investment should be made and distributed across all of Central Bletchley in order to break down any perceived east-west divisions
• More affordable, quality, housing and the necessary facilities to support new and existing residents should be delivered
• The area will be enriched by designing for active streets and public spaces
• Queensway needs to be opened up in order to reconnect the Town Centre to Buckingham Road and the train station. This will improve the street network and increase footfall
• The Queensway area needs to be flexible enough to offer alternative town centre uses that can support leisure and an enhanced evening economy as well as an improved retail offer Queensway Central Bletchley 20 Central Bletchley Prospectus - Draft
Queensway needs to be opened Images of future up in order to: Stakeholder reconnect and improve events the street network and increase footfall
Queensway Central Bletchley Stakeholder engagement 21 Central Bletchley Prospectus - Draft
4.0 Placemaking Themes
4.1. Placemaking Themes
01 02 Central Bletchley An Improved Sense A Compact Central will be an attractive, of Arrival Bletchley vibrant, prosperous
and well designed East-West Rail and the associated As a consequence of improved place providing investment will allow for the connectivity, Central Bletchley a good quality of transformation of the arrival will provide opportunities for points into Central Bletchley. intensification and the potential life for all new and A new eastern entrance, to for a compact, vibrant and safe existing residents of Bletchley Railway Station, a high urban environment. Frideswide Square - Gateway to Illustrative image of a compact Central Bletchley. quality transport interchange Oxford, illustrates how an improved Bletchley. Providing a range of and a reconfigured Saxon Street accommodation that is within public realm can provide a sense of will improve pedestrian linkages The following sets walking distance to desirable arrival. across Central Bletchley. This out a series of services and leisure facilities should bring more footfall into as well as being well-served by placemaking themes the Town Centre. wider MK public transport links. that will capitalise on East-West Rail and help focus investment in the Town Centre.
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03 04 05 Diversifying Uses Improving Routes Breaking down the and increasing and Spaces East-West ‘Divide’ housing choice
New development offers Central Bletchley is physically Central Bletchley lacks diversity opportunities to reinforce routes divided by the railway but there of uses in terms of housing, or create new ones through is a perception that areas to the retail, the evening economy, a combination of pedestrian west and east are also divided community and leisure uses. friendly streets and squares socio-economically. Illustrative image showing an around which development will Aerial Image shows how the railway New development on vacant and The opportunity for new improved public realm along side be focussed and face onto. divides Central Bletchley. underutilised sites and buildings development on both sides of offers the opportunity for a a key route. Centenary Square This includes the reconfiguring the railway, together with an through the Blue Lagoon could range of higher density housing. Birmingham by ARUP. of Saxon Street and a new improved public realm that ‘knits’ be improved for pedestrians and This is likely to appeal to young pedestrian friendly street that this development together, will cyclists. This would provide better professionals. This in turn will ‘opens up’ Queensway by help ensure any perception of access to the railway station and drive the demand for many of the reconnecting it with Buckingham the divide is broken down. A new the town centre for the southern uses identified above, while s106 Road. This will also deliver eastern entrance, a reconfigured expansion areas of Bletchley, obligations will contribute to new improved pedestrian movement, Saxon Street and outward facing Water Eaton and the Lakes community infrastructure. to the western side of the railway, development will have a key role Estate. to play in better integrating the New development will need to There is also the opportunity Town Centre with West Bletchley. provide active uses at ground to improve the existing desire floor facing onto the streets and line from the western station The design of the railway fly-over key areas of public realm. entrance to Buckingham could be altered in a way which Road making this route more will contribute positively to ‘place accessible and attractive. creation’ and connectivity helping integrate the two sides of Central Outside of Central Bletchley Bletchley. links under the railway and
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4.2 Illustrative Plan
The illustrative plan has been Central Blecthley Illustrative Plan N
informed by the themes identified Recreation and Open Space Existing buildings in this prospectus. Trees/Vegetated Areas Built Form Context Improved Public Realm Public Proposed multi storey car park Proposed Built Form
The plan is not fixed and is open to Private Proposed Multi-Storey interpretation, however it is one Parking / Garden way in which the themes could be addressed in a proposal.
01 - An Improved Sense of Arrival
02- A Compact Central Bletchley
03 - Diversifying uses and increasing housing
04 - Breaking down the east and west divide
05 - Opening New Routes and Spaces 0m 100m
Illustrative Masterplan Plan – figure 11
24 Central Bletchley Prospectus - Draft
Illustrative Sketch, looking down Buckingham Road towards the town centre - figure 12
Reconnecting Buckingham Road and Queensway with increased density of development, including a residential of up to up to 250 dwellings per hectare
25 Central Bletchley Prospectus - Draft
5.0 Key Opportunity Areas 5.1 Seven key opportunity areas
A key benefit from a coordinated Central Bletchley improvement approach to the regeneration Areas and development of Central Sherwood Rd / Buckingham Rd Bletchley is that all parties will be Station Quarter able to understand the various Northern Quarter opportunities within the context of a Town Centre West wider coordinated strategy. Town Centre East
Gateway There are 7 key opportunity areas Reconnecting which when developed will help deliver the vision for Central Bletchley. It is anticipated that more detailed guidance for each opportunity area will be provided through a subsequent Urban Design Framework (or similar) which will be adopted as a Supplementary Planning Document.
0m 100m
Improvement Area Plan – figure 12 26 Central Bletchley Prospectus - Draft
5.2 The opportunities in brief
A new gateway for Town Centre East Reconnecting Town Centre West Station Quarter
CBP - Reconnecting Bletchley Queensway Reconnecting Queensway LAND USE CBP - Western Town Centre
Recreation and Open Space Eastern Mixed Use Town Centre Central Bletchley Prospectus - Station CBP - Town Centre East Central Bletchley illustrative Plan Trees/Vegetated Areas Sherwood Buckingham LAND USE Eastern Mixed Use Town Centre Improved Public 4Realm Road location Gateway Area2 3 Recreation and Open Space 5 LAND USE 1 Proposed Built-Form LAND USE Gateway locations Trees/Vegetated Areas Recreation and Open Space Proposed Private Multi-Storey Recreation and Open Space Existing buildings Built form Marking Arrival Parking / Garden Improved Public Realm Trees/Vegetated Areas
Built Form Context Trees/Vegetated Areas LAND USE Proposed Public Multi-Storey Proposed Built-Form Improved Public Realm Proposed Public multi storey Improved Public Realm car park Recreation and Open Space Proposed Private Multi-Storey Proposed Built-Form car park Parking / Garden Trees/Vegetated Areas Proposed Built-Form Existing buildings Proposed Private Multi-Storey Parking / Garden Proposed Public multi-storey Proposed Private Multi-Storey Improved Public Realm car park Parking / Garden Proposed Public multi-storey car park Proposed Built-Form Proposed Public multi-storey Existing buildings car park Existing buildings Proposed Private Multi-Storey Built-Form Context Parking / Garden Improved Public Realm including Built-Form Context Parking Proposed Public Multi-Storey car park Existing buildings Existing buildings Built-Form Context Built-Form Context
1:2500@A4 1:2000@A4 1:2000@A4 0m 100m 0m 80m 0m 80m
1:2000@A4 1:2000@A4 0m 100m 0m 80m
We will harness the potential of Queensway will see public realm, We will work with partners We will work with partners to enable Improved connectivity will enable East-West Rail to create an eastern wayfinding and parking / highway to redesign or redevelop existing the development of underutilised this area to become a thriving station entrance and associated management improvements while a buildings which would allow buildings and sites with higher mixed-use quarter, comprising uses transport interchange that faces further diversification of typical high Queensway to be ‘opened up’ and density residential led mixed-use compatible with proximity to a train the Town Centre. We will turn street uses will be sought . reconnected to Buckingham Road development that revitalises the station and the tourist attraction, Saxon Street from a highway into via a new pedestrian street. Town Centre. Bletchley Park, this could include the a pedestrian scaled street, which development of a hotel.
CBP - Northern Town Centre will create a strong sense of arrival Mixed Use Town Centre CBP - Sherwood / Buckingham Northern Town Centre location Road Sherwood Drive LAND USE Northern to Central Bletchley. This will help Sherwood / Buckingham Rd Area Recreation and Open Space 6 7 Trees/Vegetated Areas LAND USE Improved Public Realm Recreation and Open Space Quarter break the perceived divide between Quarter Proposed Built Form Trees/Vegetated Areas Proposed Private Multi-Storey Improved Public Realm Parking / Garden Bletchley either side of the railway Proposed Built-Form Proposed Public Multi-Storey car park Proposed Multi-Storey Parking / Garden Existing buildings This area is currently occupied by line. ProposedWe Public will Multi Storey enable the reuse and / or Built-Form Context Car Park
Existing buildings a retail park, but as land becomes Built-Formredevelopment Context of existing buildings and associated land to create high more valuable, given the locational quality new housing primarily aimed benefits East-West Rail brings, it at existing residents and those who could be redeveloped for higher can benefit from the accessibility density housing with mixed use and affordability of Central ground floors. This will provide a 1:2000@A4 0m 80m 1:2500@A4 positive interface with Saxon Street, 0m Bletchley.100m as well as a new multi-storey car park serving the Town Centre. 27 Central Bletchley Prospectus - Draft
6.0 Delivery and Implementation
Milton Keynes Council is Dialogue and interface with Local Enterprise Partnership, • Includes Policy Prospectus Area will be committed to the rejuvenation partners, whether in the private completed a public realm SD16:Central Bletchley guided by a range of and transformation of Central or public sector, will be guided by improvement scheme (Fixing Prospectus Area which principles. Bletchley and to fully capitalising our values which involve: the Links) which has improved affirms that the Council on the once-in-a-generation the quality and legibility of the is seeking to deliver redevelopment and regeneration • Putting customers first; pedestrian connections between the transformational opportunities that will flow from Bletchley Railway Station and regeneration of Central the imminent delivery of major • Working as a team; and, Bletchley town centre. Bletchley over the local strategic infrastructure in the • Making a positive plan period in conjunction form of East-West Rail. difference every day. with the proposed delivery Since completion of the ‘Fixing of EWR services. Policy cites that the key point Working towards those When considering opportunities the Links’ scheme, the Council about EWR is that it will objectives the Council will adopt and options within the Central has taken positive steps to place Bletchley at the a collaborative and inclusive Bletchley Prospectus Area we establish a planning policy intersection of strategic approach to its relationships will be cognisant of the Council’s context which will enable the east-west (East West with partners and stakeholders, current priorities to achieve: town’s regeneration. Plan:MK to include relevant town 2016-2031, the latest version Rail) and north-south councils and resident groups. of the Council’s Local Plan, was (West Coast mainline) • A healthy City; Moreover, the Council will be adopted in March, 2019. This rail routes extending a proactive partner in order to • An affordable City; and, document: both within and beyond facilitate transformation and, the South East Local • A City of opportunity. when appropriate, to remove Enterprise Partnership area. It adds that the barriers to regeneration and • Explicitly acknowledges Whilst we are still in the increased accessibility and redevelopment. the importance of early stages of realising the connectivity created by regeneration opportunities transformation of Central East West Rail will act as a It is acknowledged that private around the centre of Bletchley, Milton Keynes Council catalyst for new investment sector involvement and Bletchley in delivering new has, with the assistance of in Bletchley and asserts investment will be essential housing development. Local Growth Fund monies that development within for the full potential of Central granted by South East Midlands the Central Bletchley Bletchley to be realised.
28 Importantly, both Policy SD16 adopted as a Supplementary and the Prospectus itself are Planning Document and so aligned with: become a ‘material consideration’ for any planning application within the Central Bletchley • Policies in the West Prospectus Area. This will serve Bletchley Neighbourhood to supplement and enhance Plan [‘made’ in March, existing planning policy thereby 2019]. providing potential investors and developers with greater • Growth and economic certainty about the type of prosperity priorities, set out development proposals that will in the Council Plan 2016- be encouraged. 2022, that seek to support the aspiration that Milton Keynes should grow to a population of 500,000 and beyond by 2050 with a thriving, robust and resilient economy that creates highly skilled jobs.
It is anticipated that, following completion of the Prospectus, the Council will proceed to production of the Urban Design Framework (or similar) to cover the Central Bletchley Prospectus Area. The intention is that this Framework, necessarily informed by extensive community consultation, will be formally Address: Milton Keynes Council, Civic Offices Central Milton Keynes