Cabinet Decide on Local Plan

12.00.00am GMT Wed 12th Oct 2005

The Council's response to comments on proposed changes to the Local Plan was the subject of a cabinet meeting on 18 October.

The cabinet decided to recommend that the Council should adopt the Local Plan and that there does not need be a further public inquiry into any of the objections to the changes. The Council will consider the cabinet's recommendations on 8 November.

Following a public inquiry into earlier objections to the Local Plan and the receipt of the independent inspector's report, the Council agreed over 200 detailed changes ("proposed modifications") to the Plan. A six-week period of consultation on the modifications ended on 7 July.

This period was the opportunity for anyone to submit written objections or representations of support for the proposed changes to the Plan. The main issues that generated comments were:

• Changes to the proposed linear park boundaries at Eaton Leys (next to the Fenny Stratford by-pass)

• The new strategic reserve areas - potential areas for development after 2011

• The extent of the Western Expansion Area (between Crownhill and Stony Stratford, west of Watling Street)

• The new expansion area at Stantonbury Park Farm, north of the city

• Proposed new housing sites at Penn Road, Fenny Stratford; Stratford House, Stony Stratford; and Austen Avenue, Olney

Liberal Democrat Councillor Graham Mabbutt, cabinet member responsible for transport and planning said: "We have taken on board the inspector's recommendations and also considered all representations on the proposed modifications to the local plan. The decisions that we have taken are fair, balancing the interests of all the parties. The full Council will take the final decision on the modifications and adoption of the plan, which will provide a framework for development in the Milton Keynes area up to 2011."