We are proposing to divert the existing Shenley Road through the development to discourage rat-running and maintain a road connection between Whaddon and Milton Keynes.

The existing road is proposed to be retained for public transport, walking and cycling only.

We understand that residents raised concerns around traffic, particularly that associated with the A421 and the pressure this may place on Milton Keynes residents. The provision of a Spine Road will alleviate up to 40% of diverted traffic heading into MK from an eastward direction at peak hour traffic from the A421 corridor into Milton Keynes and give access to the development, also linking to Shenley Road and increasing connectivity to Milton Keynes.

A Transport Assessment has been undertaken and submitted to both Councils who will review and agree any mitigations required. You may view this as part of our application online, details are provided on the welcome page as to how to access this.

Some feedback received suggested we join the new Spine Road to the A421 via a new fourth exit on Bottledump roundabout. This is not an option which is feasible as access to land at Bottledump roundabout is not within our power to obtain.

Furthermore, this would not be a sustainable option for a roundabout and road network of this size and would risk significantly affecting its capacity to accommodate existing traffic.

Travel links from Whaddon to Milton Keynes are proposed to be improved via the provision of new bus services, or an extension of existing services. We will continue to engage with local Parish Councils, including Whaddon and Newton Longville, as well as local ward councillors.

Should a Planning Performance Agreement be put in place, there will be wider financial considerations as part of the Section 106 (S106), primarily to Bucks, however there is a model to agree whereby MKCC is involved in considerations to infrastructure and where that might go.

Access to the mixed-use centre from Whaddon would be via the existing Shenley Road east bound, which would connect to the new Spine Road delivered as part of the Shenley Park development.

Pedestrian and cycle routes are also proposed through the proposed open space to provide attractive, convenient and safe connections between Whaddon and the new local centre.

We appreciate that access via H6 Childs Way is a key concern for many Kingsmead and Oxley Park residents.

It is a policy requirement of the Vale of Aylesbury Local Plan (VALP) for a link road to go through either H6 or H7.

We are in discussions with Homes England, who own the land, over access rights of H7 Hayton Way. If access via H7 can be made a viable option (i.e. if respective Council’s expressed a preference and Homes England would be willing to sell the land or access rights) Crest would consider making access there instead. However, the latest discussions with highways authorities and MKCC officers indicated that H6 remains their preferred option.

Crest is committed to continuing these discussions and finding a solution where possible. Crest is not currently legally able to submit a planning application with H7 as the access point, as the land is not within their ownership and therefore not currently deliverable. Furthermore, the Buckingham SPD Consultation has outlined that “a link road connection into H7 Hayton Way is not the favoured approach”.

Currently, H6 Childs Way is the only deliverable option available – this land is adopted highway which has long been designated to provide a future road extension. As such, H6 has been identified as the optimal access point to the development. The spine road would divert some traffic into the grid road system and our plan is for it to be single carriage way rather than dual.

As part of our due diligence and in response to feedback we are looking at both options. However, Crest cannot currently propose H7 as it is owned by a third party.

Crest’s access designs are at an outline rather than Reserved Matters stage. Should a solution be found over the use of H7 and should officers in both local authorities and other statutory consultees promote this and traffic modelling support this, Crest would be able to update its application to change the proposed access.

Some feedback received suggested we join the new Spine Road to the A421 via a new fourth exit on Bottledump roundabout. This is not an option which is feasible as access to land at Bottledump roundabout is not within our power to obtain.

Furthermore, this would not be a sustainable option for a roundabout and road network of this size and would risk significantly affecting its capacity to accommodate existing traffic.

Travel links from Whaddon to Milton Keynes are proposed to be improved via the provision of new bus services, or an extension of existing services. We will continue to engage with local Parish Councils, including Whaddon and Newton Longville, as well as local ward councillors.

Should a Planning Performance Agreement be put in place, there will be wider financial considerations as part of the Section 106 (S106), primarily to Bucks, however there is a model to agree whereby MKCC is involved in considerations to infrastructure and where that might go.

Access to the mixed-use centre from Whaddon would be via the existing Shenley Road east bound, which would connect to the new Spine Road delivered as part of the Shenley Park development.

Pedestrian and cycle routes are also proposed through the proposed open space to provide attractive, convenient and safe connections between Whaddon and the new local centre.

We are committed to minimising the impact of the development on the existing communities. Designs will ensure that the site is sensitive to the High Street and Stock Lane Conservation Areas in Whaddon.

We are proposing a semi-natural green space to act as a buffer to the Conservation Areas. The proposed school and sports facilities are located between the semi-natural green space and the development parcels, further containing the impact on Conservation Areas.

Further strategic landscape areas are proposed around the development parcels and alongside hedges, creating green corridors, water features and recreational green areas, including the Tattenhoe Valley Park extension.

Our proposals will pay regard to the natural and heritage features of Whaddon. Designs will be sympathetic to the existing buildings, with visuals of the site screened by the existing woodland and proposed landscape buffering.

Designs will ensure that the site is particularly sensitive to the existing Whaddon Conservation Areas. We are aware of Whaddon’s elevated position overlooking the valley and are keen to ensure that the development does not detract from the natural beauty of the area. To help maintain this, we are proposing a careful site layout that places the bulk of building density within the centre of the development, as well as extensive landscaping enhancements to buffer and protect views from the wider Conservation Area.

We think it is important that Shenley Park is a sustainable development that accommodates its own local needs and contributes to the provision of services where this is not possible on-site. The proposals include an on-site primary school, a mixed-use local centre with a local convenience store and space for health services, sports facilities, a care home, and a wide variety of play areas and open spaces. We will be contributing towards the construction of secondary school facilities off-site and improvement of public transport facilities.

Crest appreciates that residents are concerned about the potential impact of the development on the existing healthcare infrastructure.

Initial contact has been made with local NHS Trust regarding including a medical centre as part of the proposed local centre, no feedback has been received yet, however these discussions remain ongoing. Whether this comes forward or not, contributions will be paid as part of the S106 and the Council will have the option to put this toward investing in healthcare locally.

We have now submitted an outline application. Given that the Buckinghamshire Council SPD is now live, we hope to have a decision on our planning application by Spring 2024. The long-term goal is to commence construction in Spring 2025.

Subject to securing the necessary planning permissions and in advance of any construction works taking place, a Construction Management Plan (CMP) will be developed in liaison with both Milton Keynes City Council and Buckinghamshire Council to mitigate any potential impacts associated with the construction process. The CMP will include detailed information on factors such as construction vehicle movements and site working hours.

The policy does not require a secondary school to be constructed for Shenley Park, but we will consider the potential impact on school places with the local authority.

To date, we have held discussions with councillors and are continuing to explore the options available. This may require external funding. Council education departments will respond to the application with their recommendations. Ultimately, we are expecting that Salden Chase will be selected to deliver a secondary school.

Subject to detailed discussions and agreement with the Education Authority, a financial contribution towards existing secondary schools will be required, as well as a financial contribution to special needs education.

We are not yet at a stage where we can share detailed elements of the proposals – this is currently at the outline stage. An application for outline planning permission allows for a decision on the general principles of how a site can be developed. Outline planning permission is granted subject to conditions, which later requires the subsequent approval of one or more “Reserved Matters”.