Local campaign groups have slammed Government plans to 'speed up and modernise the planning system' with people saying the plans could 'ruin' the city.
The Government announced in August its plans to overhaul the planning system and in turn deliver "landmark changes" promising to provide better housing specifically for families, key workers, and young people.
The major reform, called Planning for the Future, aims to build homes quicker by ensuring local housing plans are developed and agreed in 30 months – down from the current 7 years.
It will also ensure councils prioritise "good design" and create a fast-track for approving buildings.
Under the plans, land will be designated into one of three categories - for growth, for renewal or for protection. Communities will set the agenda for their own areas, with the categories for all land across England decided through local consensus.
But local campaigners have today (19/10) criticised the plans saying that they will "spell the end of MK’s green open spaces, turn the landscaped grid roads into choked city streets, and cut local people out of the process".
The city’s civic society, MK Forum, and the Fred Roche Foundation have teamed up with campaign groups Xplain and Residents of Renewal Estates (RoRE).
The campaigners say that, if adopted, the new system would see most of Milton Keynes designated as a ‘renewal area’, meaning new developments would be given automatic planning permission while planning ‘rules’ would be set by national bodies rather than locally.
All three political parties at Milton Keynes Council have also unanimously voted to condemn these plans, say the campaigners.
Tim Skelton, Chair of MK Forum, said: "Events of the past few months have shown, more than ever, the value that the residents of Milton Keynes place upon our open spaces. We are concerned that the White Paper offers too little protection for these treasured parts of our city and that they could become an easy target for development."
“The White Paper aims to streamline the planning process to deliver more homes,” adds RoRE’s David Lee. “But when you drill down there are many alarming aspects. Most of MK would be targeted for infill of residential areas, giving developers the upper hand in building on our open green spaces.”
Following the publication of Planning for the future, the government will now consult with planners, lawyers and local government experts on the proposals, as well as interest groups and residents.
The Government's White Paper is currently in the consultation stage meaning that the public can make comments until Thursday 29th October.
You can do so by visiting the website or emailing planningforthefuture@communities.gov.uk.
