Strategy for 2050: Growth Options Assessment January 2020 Milton Keynes Strategy for 2050: Growth Options Assessment
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Strategy for 2050: Growth Options Assessment January 2020 Milton Keynes Strategy for 2050: Growth Options Assessment Introduction and approach As part of the background evidence to support the Strategy for 2050, Milton Keynes Council has undertaken a high level assessment of 14 spatial options for potential directions of growth which could assist in delivering the Council’s growth ambitions to house a population of 500,000 people within Milton Keynes Borough and the wider area by 2050. The map below shows the location of each of the broad areas that have been assessed. Each of the broad locations has been assessed against a range of environmental and locations factors using existing information, particularly that forming the evidence base for Plan:MK, adopted in March 2019 and other local plans covering the Option areas where those lie outside of Milton Keynes. The assessments review the strengths and weaknesses of each of the options and provide a brief commentary and conclusion on their suitability for development in the period to 2050. The assessment has had regard to: • Locational factors, such as flood risk, topography, landscape, connectivity etc.; • Existing growth allocations across the metropolitan area (both those within Milton Keynes Borough and those proposed in neighbouring authorities within the Study Area); • The ability of the option to deliver against the objectives of the Strategy for 2050, particularly: - its ability to realise inclusive growth outcomes for both existing and new communities within the Metropolitan Milton Keynes Area year on year throughout the period to 2050 and beyond, - the ability to promote delivery of a modal shift in transport through making the most of existing and proposed regional infrastructure improvements and through providing development that helps to deliver, and benefits from, a new MRT system; - the ability to take advantage of, and improve, existing and planned, east-west infrastructure and connections which are present in the south of Milton Keynes and extend into Aylesbury Vale and Central Bedfordshire, and develop the long term growth potential created by the Cambridge - Milton Keynes - Oxford Corridor. The assessment considers each of the 14 options in turn with a summary of the strengths and weaknesses of each option. This assessment provides a link between the Strategy for 2050 and the first review of Plan:MK, insofar as it will provide the first opportunity for comments to be made on options/directions for growth beyond the existing commitments contained within Plan:MK and the proposed growth in Milton Keynes’ neighbouring authorities. The new Local Plan will cover the period to 2040 and will look to continue to deliver the long-term growth aspirations for Milton Keynes. It will be the first statutory planning document to embed the Strategy for 2050 within planning policy. As such the Strategy for 2050 will provide a key consideration for the new Local Plan in terms of its vision and objectives, development strategy and directions of growth. Whilst the engagement on the Strategy for 2050 will not form part of a statutory Regulation 18 consultation for the purposes of plan making, it does form the first part of the engagement process for the new Local Plan and the comments received will be used by the Council’s Development Plans Team in beginning to draw up a draft Plan for a full Regulation 18 consultation at a later date. 2 Milton Keynes Strategy for 2050: Growth Options Assessment As part of the background evidence to support the Strategy for 2050, Milton Keynes Council has undertaken a high level assessment of 14 spatial options for potential directions of growth which could assist in delivering the Council’s growth ambitions to house a population of 500,000 people within Milton Keynes Borough and the wider area by 2050. 3 Milton Keynes Strategy for 2050: Growth Options Assessment In preparing the Strategy for 2050 and assessing these sites, ten principles were used as a way of thinking about how to achieve the best possible future for Milton Keynes in growing to a population of 500,000 people. The assessment tables reference these principles, and although it should be noted that the final draft Strategy for 2050 does not specifically state them, they are still relevant in reviewing the growth options. 1 A commitment to inclusive growth Metropolitan Milton Keynes becomes a place of around half a million people by 2050, through growth that benefits everyone in the city 2 Build sustainability into everything the city does We put sustainability at the centre of decisions, making sure we all take responsibility for the climate emergency. 3 Connected growth and mobility Plan for a pattern of growth which best connects with existing and new road and rail transport links and design communities at densities that help make shared and mass rapid transit services viable 4 Mobility for all Nobody should be at a disadvantage by not having access to a car. We will move from over- reliance on car-based travel to more walking, cycling, mass rapid transit and other shared, on- demand mobility. 5 Economic growth that provides jobs for all Provide work opportunities for all MK residents at different skill levels, including many in knowledge intensive businesses 6 Provide a range of homes that work for everybody Plan for a diverse range of types, sizes and tenures of homes for everyone who lives in Milton Keynes or wants to live here. 7 Keep Milton Keynes green and beautiful Value and maintain the greenness of Milton Keynes, with new areas of open space and water as part of new developments, helping to protect and promote biodiversity and manage flood risk 8 Create better places and communities that work for everyone New communities are designed to be more sustainable, walkable, healthy and inclusive for all residents and visitors, developed using transit-oriented development principles where people can meet their every-day needs nearby 9 Build stronger centres Create a stronger city centre in CMK and maximise opportunities at Bletchley to develop a complementary town centre, with both being vibrant locations for more workers, residents, students, shoppers and visitors 10 Provide leadership and direction Develop mechanisms that make sure growth is delivered in a coordinated, planned way, with strong local leadership which takes bold decisions and work in collaboration with partners. 4 Milton Keynes Strategy for 2050: Growth Options Assessment Summary of key strengths and weaknesses of the Spatial Options Direction of Strengths/Opportunities Weaknesses/Threats Growth Locations 1. Existing Urban • Opportunities to revolutionise land • Risk that key stakeholders Area use design and place making may not sign up to a new principles to promote healthy living, vision for growth. In CMK employment opportunities and especially, there would need sustainable public transport for all. to be a balance between • Higher density development will shorter term market make more effective use of land. objectives and longer term • Introduction of rapid transit aspirations. presents an opportunity to reduce • the New Town architecture car usage freeing up existing car and structural elements are parking space for other uses. held in strong regard – • A larger resident population in CMK significant change to this, supports intensification of uses and particularly in CMK may the vitality of the area. attract challenge. • Redevelopment of existing • Increasing density of employment sites in Milton Keynes development could has potential for other uses potentially lead to increased including housing. congestion in the urban area • Regeneration of the older estates, if not mitigated by especially if linked to new nodes for sustainable travel initiatives. rapid transit could benefit both existing and new residents by increasing access to a wider range of facilities and services. • Bletchley is a potentially important hub for services and employment benefitting from its position on East-West rail and the West Coast Mainline. • Higher density developments across the urban area can create a critical mass to support public transport improvements, low-energy transport modes and to reduce overall car use. • Increasing the number of people in one location can also help to improve the viability and quantity of services and facilities. 2. East of M1 • Potential to accommodate large • M1 acts as a barrier to toward Central scale growth – relatively connections into Milton Bedfordshire unconstrained by environmental Keynes. factors. • Impact of large scale growth • Excellent location on the national on character and integrity of road network. existing villages • Attractive location for economic • Cross boundary investment. development into Central 5 Milton Keynes Strategy for 2050: Growth Options Assessment Direction of Strengths/Opportunities Weaknesses/Threats Growth Locations • Critical mass of population would Bedfordshire Council area, support connections to rapid transit requiring joint working and system and investment in agreement which is a risk to infrastructure. its delivery. • Growth at scale would support a wide range services and facilities making the eventual development relatively self-sufficient. 3. East of the M1 • Existing relationship between • M1 acts as a barrier to South toward Cranfield University and Innovation connections into Milton Cranfield Park and Milton Keynes. Keynes. • New MK University further • Relatively poor road, bus strengthens those links and rail connections to • Travel time