Milton Keynes ninth hour reprieve

By Clare Price

Damaging plans which would have detrimentally affected the Grade II listed Milton Keynes Shopping building have been withdrawn following objections from the Twentieth Century Society.

Recommended for refusal by planning officers, the latest scheme for the Central Shopping Building, involving a large extension, the demolition of Secklow Gate bridge and relocation of the market, was due to be considered by Milton Keynes planning committee on Thursday (21 February) evening.  In a surprise last-minute move the applicants withdrew all their proposals just hours before the meeting.

The Twentieth Century Society, along with English Heritage objected to all three applications which would destroy the sleek lines and profile of the shopping building and interrupt a key route in the grid plan of roads, for which Milton Keynes is justly famous.