Major Bletchley Developments Move a Step Closer

2.00.00pm GMT Sat 12th May 2007

Milton Keynes Council, with its development partner SDC, is now progressing to the next stage in "Building a Better Bletchley". This is an exciting mixed-use regeneration scheme which will include a new leisure centre and multi-storey car park. It has been developed in partnership with the Bletchley Development Board and English Partnerships. It is being funded by the development of part of the existing leisure centre site for new housing, together with money from central Government, Sport England, and the MK Tariff.

Following the preliminary community consultation exercise held throughout February 2006 and the outline planning permission granted in September 2006, the Council and SDC are now seeking views on this site's regeneration by refining its plans for:

• a new state-of-the-art community leisure centre to meet the leisure and sporting needs of the local community including people with disabilities (the facilities will comprise a 25-metre 8-lane swimming pool, sauna, steam room, spectator viewing area, six court multi-use sports hall, multi-use gymnastics hall, 100-station fitness suite, multi-use aerobic room, four squash courts with viewing facilities, 8-rink indoor bowls facility, and a café)

• an integral multi-storey car park

• a narrower Princes Way, to make it a pedestrian-friendly street

• up to 300 much needed mixed-tenure new homes along Princes Way

• a new plaza between Elizabeth Square and the entrance to the new leisure centre.

Liberal Democrat Councillor Euan Henderson, cabinet member for leisure, said: "This is an opportunity for Bletchley and the wider community to have a say before the plans are finalised. Displays will be in place for two weeks, commencing on Tuesday 8 May, in three prime locations within Bletchley - the Bletchley Leisure Centre, Bletchley Development Board's offices and Bletchley Library. Your comments will be welcome - to Freepost 291, PO Box 106, Saxon Court, 502 Avebury Boulevard, Milton Keynes MK9 3HS or leisureservices@milton-keynes.gov.uk."

You can access all the information from the displays on MKWeb (http://www.milton-keynes.gov.uk/sportsdev/DisplayArticle.asp?ID=48181).