In our original application, we proposed to divert the existing Shenley Road through the development to both discourage rat-running and maintain a road connection between Whaddon and Milton Keynes.  In doing so, we were proposing to maintain access along Shenley Road for public transport, walking and cycling only.

The Masterplan SPD now provides for these connections, even if secondary, to no longer take place for vehicles.  Instead, two bus-only links, also called ‘bus gates’ would be provided to allow such vehicles access to the Shenley Park development.

The section of Shenley Road in between the location of these bus gates would remain available for non-motorised users, allowing for a priority East-West corridor to be established, as a continuation of pedestrian/cycle facilities along H7 Hayton Way.

We understand residents are concerned about traffic, particularly traffic associated with the A421 and the pressure this may place on Milton Keynes residents.

There is a requirement for the Buckinghamshire to accommodate further growth and the question is how best to achieve this in a sustainable manner.

Through the examination of the Vale of Aylesbury Plan (VALP), Shenley Park was identified as being suitable location for a sustainable development, subject to a number of policies being adhered to.

One of these was to create a development spine road from the A421 Buckingham Road to either H6 Childs Way or H7 Hayton Way, the purpose of which was to provide existing traffic on the A421 corridor with the option to use an additional way to travel to/from Milton Keynes.

The benefits arising from the re-balance of traffic across the local area this would offer wider benefit to existing people, in addition to creating sufficient capacity ‘headroom’ for the traffic being generated by Shenley Park to be accommodated on the road network.

The indication is that the provision of a Spine Road would allow between 25-35% of existing traffic to use H6 at peak hour for journeys to/from Milton Keynes.

The Spine Road will give access to the Shenley Park development, for pedestrians and cyclists also extending Redways and increasing connectivity to Milton Keynes.

A Transport Assessment was undertaken and submitted to both Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes Council whose responsibility will be to review and agree any mitigations required.

This is currently being revised to take account of the latest version of the Milton Keynes Multi-Modal Model, which provides the latest account of traffic on the road network, including the cumulative effects of other developments that benefit from existing planning consents.

You will be able to view this as part of our application online, details are provided in due course.

A new roundabout access would be provided on the A421, at the southern end of the proposed development spine road. This would be accommodated between the existing Woodpond Farm and the Bottledump Roundabout.

The Transport Assessment considers the changes in traffic that would occur as a result of Shenley Park, including forecast increases and decreases in traffic on different roads, as a result of the propose new Spine Road.

The indication from the modelling carried out to date indicated that the new Spine Road would lead to a decrease of traffic on the approach to Bottledump roundabout.

We are proposing to improve travel links from Shenley Park to Milton Keynes via the provision of improved bus services, through the provision of new or extension of existing services, including Service No 8.

Depending on the level of accessibility that could be achieved through the provision of these bus services, public transport accessibility to Whaddon in general would be enhanced. The existing Community Bus Services that currently serve would continue and be able to use the bus gate to access the new Spine Road.

A Mobility Hub would be provided within Shenley Park, which will include other facilities, which could include a waiting area, car club and e-bikes, all of which would be accessible to residents of Whaddon.

We will continue to engage with local Parish Councils, including Whaddon and Newton Longville, as well as local ward councillors on what other improvements would benefit the community the most.

Access to the mixed-use centre from Whaddon would be via the existing Shenley Road, which would connect to the Local Centre via the network of paths that will be delivered by Shenley Park, including the prioritised Shenley Road pedestrian/cycle corridor.

Pedestrian and cycle routes are also proposed through the proposed open space to the north which will 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.

Currently, H6 Childs Way is the only deliverable option available – this land is adopted highway which has long been reserved and designated to provide a future road extension. As such, H6 has been identified as the optimal access point to the development, for both vehicles but also because of the ability to extend the existing Redway running alongside.

We cannot currently propose H7 as the connection to it is owned by a third party. The standard of road along H7 also does not lend itself to an extension, with many more existing properties closer to the road.

The Buckingham Masterplan SPD also outlined clearly that “a link road connection into H7 Hayton Way is not the favoured approach”, allowing H6 to be the preferred alignment, subject to some minor changes in its alignment and configuration of the two junctions giving access the existing neighbourhoods.

We are committed to minimising the impact of the development on the existing communities and, in this respect, the Shenley Park proposal will not have any direct impact on Whaddon, as no vehicular point of connections would be provided along Shenley Road from the development. Any 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, to further reduce the impact on Conservation Areas.

Strategic landscaped areas are also proposed throughout the development, alongside hedges, new green corridors, water features and recreational green areas, including the Tattenhoe Valley Park extension.

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. Financial contributions would, however, be secured for education places with the decision on how this funding should be used being a matter for the Local Education Authority.

To date, we have held discussions with councillors and are continuing to explore the options available. 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.

It is understood at present that the option for a Secondary School is being explored in connection with the consented Salden Chase development, and in this respect, plans are being considered by Shenley Park to enhance pedestrian connectivity via the Bottledump pedestrian underpass to link the development with proposed new signalised crossings on Whaddon Road.

The planning application 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, focusing on land use, scale and access. This will form the basis of what are called Parameters Plans, which set out the framework for the development and guides those elements that require to be fixed, with plenty of opportunities to take further design decisions at later planning stages relating the layout and appearance of the development.

Outline planning permission is granted subject to conditions, which later requires the subsequent approval of one or more Reserved Matters Applications, which will cover more specific details such as appearance, layout, landscaping and other design elements.