FAQs

The Towns Fund bid has secured investment from Government to implement a number of local regeneration projects in the area, such as improved redways, proposals for enhancing local skills & training and to enable the redevelopment of key sites and opportunities. Subject to the timing of bringing forward specific redevelopment proposals, the SPD is anticipated to provide an overall development framework and more detailed design guidance for physical change in the area in the future.

Policy SD16 in Plan:MK identifies opportunities for more residential development in Central Bletchley, that will in turn increase economic activity and the diversification of retailing and leisure opportunities in the town centre. 

Government policy advocates the redevelopment of underused brownfield land within town centres, especially where they can capitalise on proximity to excellent public transport services. Central Bletchley benefits from access to national and local train services and is a key bus interchange. 

Bletchley and Fenny Stratford Town Council are in the process of preparing a Neighbourhood Plan for the area – part of which is the same as that covered by the SPD.  That document will set out planning policies for the whole neighbourhood area (beyond the town centre) and be written by the local community, the people who live and work in the area, rather than the Local Planning Authority.

The SPD is a separate but related set of planning guidance prepared by the Council and will provide more detailed design guidance to specific proposals within Central Bletchley, and the opportunity sites within it.

The Town Council will be fully involved in the process of preparing the SPD and information will be exchanged to ensure that all relevant suggestions are considered and the plans come forward consistently.

The SPD builds on the work already undertaken in the Central Bletchley Prospectus and Plan:MK Policy SD16. It focusses on the town centre and area around the railway station in Central Bletchley in order to take advantage of the investment opportunities created by the development of East West Rail. The Neighbourhood Plan being brought forward by Bletchley and Fenny Stratford Town Council will provide additional planning guidance for the Town Council area.

The Supplementary Planning Document is a formal planning document which will carry weight when decisions are being made on planning applications in the Central Bletchley area. 

 It will provide more information and clarity on the approach to be taken to the renewal and development of Central Bletchley, and will ensure that all parties will be able to understand the various opportunities of the area within the context of a wider coordinated strategy.