Plans to turn empty city centre car park into ‘exciting and vibrant’ community space

A leading cabinet member will next week (7th December) take a decision to approve a city centre prospectus outlining various options for the development of the empty theatre car park site in Central Milton Keynes.

The city centre prospectus (known as a Draft Development Brief) has been prepared with the goal of providing possible bidders for the site with planning and design guidance. The aim is to maximise the number of high-quality development proposals which come forward.

The prospectus outlines how Milton Keynes Council is committed to delivering a placemaking-focussed development for the site, which could include the demolition of the derelict car park. In its place, MKC hopes to see an eco-friendly, mixed-use, world-class development at the meeting point of CMK and Campbell Park.

Councillor Rob Middleton, Labour Progressive Alliance Cabinet Member for Resources, will be taking the decision: "The Progressive Alliance has world class ambitions for this site, which lies at a prime location in CMK. We would like any development to include an exciting and vibrant community space for the benefit of the local community. We want developers to submit world-class, exciting and attractive ideas that will provide an iconic gateway to CMK."

Plan:MK, which is part of the Council's development plan, outlines how new developments should make a "positive contribution" to improving the vitality of the city centre and improve the overall mix of uses.

Councillor Jane Carr, Lib Dem Progressive Alliance Cabinet Member with responsibility for Leisure, added: "This is an exciting time as there is endless potential for this site. We hope this document will speed up the process so that developers can understand exactly what will bring the best value to the community, whether it be residential, cultural and leisure uses, or a higher density development that brings even more people into CMK."

Councillor Moriah Priestley, Labour Councillor for CMK Ward, welcomes the decision: "This site can be seen by residents and visitors who approach CMK from Campbell Park, so it is vital that the development is attractive and follows all of our planning guidance. I am excited to see what the future has in store for CMK."