A controversial application to build 12 new homes and an access road on a prized piece of park land has been withdrawn following an uproar from the public.
Milton Keynes Council cabinet member Cllr Rob Middleton confirmed last week that plans to build nine three bed and three four bed homes plus parking on Springfield Park, have been put on ice.
Protester Mrs Judith Ward appealed for the council’s rulers to listen to the local community when she presented a 174-name petition to a meeting last week.
Speaking from a quiet public gallery at a meeting of the full council, she said: “The key perception in our community is that the establishment doesn’t care.
“I don’t believe that, I refuse to believe that!
“I ask that the council hear the voices of the majority of Springfield residents and make the right decision for the good of the community in this matter.”
She said the community had been promised that they were promised plenty of parkland to make up for smaller gardens.
“I want to be clear,” Mrs Ward added,” the Springfield community are not against development and we fully understand the need for building of social housing.
“This we believe is evidenced by the zero objections raised against the redevelopment of the Springfield pub site.”
She concluded by asking the council to “protect this green space for future generations once and for all.”
The site in question sits behind the former pub and is one of a number of areas being looked at by the council, which has a policy to build 500 new homes across the city.
A leading councillor said MK Council’s leaders would listen to the community to find a way forward.
Cllr Middleton (Lab, Wolverton), the council’s elected head of resources and innovation, told the full council that a planning application to build on the site has been withdrawn.
Speaking on behalf of the elected head of housing, Cllr Nigel Long (Lab, Bletchley West), he said: “The reason why this proposal was brought forward in the first place was because when the Labour administration took control of the council we made a manifesto pledge to deliver 500 new council houses in the city.
“That was the reasoning behind bringing forward the proposal because we are trying to find sites and ways and means to build the new council housing within the city of Milton Keynes.”
But he said the administration understands the “strong opposition” and the decision was made to withdraw it.
The council leadership plans to discuss the future of the site, and intends to try to find a way forward.
Cllr Middleton said: “I do understand that the community might feel you haven’t been listened to. You set out in very clear and vivid terms. I do understand.
“I can just confirm again that the application last week was withdrawn for this site.”
