Future Cities Forum to be hosted by Milton Keynes City Council in March
Future Cities Forum is delighted to be holding its next OxCam Arc / Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor development discussion at Milton Keynes City Council where the Leader of the Council, Cllr Pete Marland will be hosting the event. Chancellor Rachel Reeves' recent announcement on reviving the project stated:
Confirmed funding towards better transport links in the region including funding for East-West Rail, with new services between Oxford and Milton Keynes this year and upgrading the A428 to reduce journey times between Milton Keynes and Cambridge.
Support for the development of new and expanded communities in the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor and a new East Coast Mainline station in Tempsford, to expand the region’s economy.
However, Leader Cllr Pete Marland of Milton Keynes City Council has commented on devolution plans by the UK government:
“It is very disappointing that the government has decided not to take forward Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes as part of the Priority Programme for devolution at this time. We understand that the region has a complicated geography with a lot of uncertainty, with government required to ensure that no area is left without the potential for devolution. However, the BLMK footprint is the only combination of local authorities on which Milton Keynes expressed an interest or is willing to consider at present, and given recent announcements regarding the re-emergence of the Oxford to Cambridge Corridor and the pressing need for economic growth, we believe not progressing with a BLMK Mayoral Strategic Authority as quickly as possible is a missed opportunity.
"We remain committed to the potential that devolution brings and working with partners to move decision-making out of Westminster and closer to local people. We still feel that BLMK is the right economic, health and social geography. We understand that other issues mean it may be some time before a wider national picture is understood, but we will continue to work with the government to promote the benefits of a BLMK model and pressing for inclusion on that basis as quickly as possible because it is best for our city, region and national economy.”
Sir Keir Starmer chose Milton Keynes as the location to make the announcement on plans for the building of a wave of new towns across the country. The Government statement read:
'Hundreds of thousands of working people and families will reap the rewards new towns across Britain, as the Prime Minister paves the way for the largest housebuilding programme since the post-war era.
'Visiting a housing development today, the Prime Minister will unveil the government’s plans for the next generation of new towns – well-designed, beautiful communities with affordable housing, GP surgeries, schools and public transport where people will want to live.
'Over 100 proposals from across every region in England were submitted, showing local areas and housebuilders’ ambition to get on board to build the next generation of new towns – playing their part in getting Britain building and tackling the worst housing crisis in living memory. Every new town will have the potential to deliver 10,000 homes or more.
'Delivering security is central to this government’s Plan for Change, because the least working people deserve when they graft hard is a secure home. That’s why the government is providing much-needed housing in the right places with the right infrastructure, and the New Towns Taskforce has today set clear principles on what the next generation of new towns will deliver: affordable housing, vital infrastructure and access to open green spaces and nature, to transform the lives of working people.'
Student housing will be another issue to look at. Milton Keynes is a vibrant student town and the Council has recently approved a significant investment of £6.1m for Milton Keynes College to accommodate a growing student population.
The funding will enable the college to increase capacity at both the Chaffron Way and Bletchley campuses. Initial proposals include the addition of 300 new teaching spaces, improved motor vehicle workshops, upgrading IT rooms and high-tech engineering spaces.
The investment will allow Milton Keynes College to continue providing excellent education and training to meet the needs of growing industries, including expanding its apprenticeship offer. Funds will also be used for energy efficiency upgrades to enable the College to meet the city’s sustainability goals and bring costs down.
Milton Keynes College has seen a rapid rise in student numbers, with an increase of 806 students since the 2022/23 academic year. The investment which has been made available through tariff funding will give the College the financial backing it needs to expand and take on more students.
Tariff funding is collected from developers by local authorities which is invested into local infrastructure such as education and healthcare.
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