A renovation of Central Milton Keynes and expansion of the city have been proposed among the government’s plans to build new towns in England.
A report naming Milton Keynes as an area of focus was published by a taskforce set-up by the UK’s Labour government last year, with their findings announced today (28/09) to coincide with the their party conference taking place in Liverpool this week.
Proposals say that the idea would involve, “renewal of Milton Keynes city centre and expanding its periphery, alongside a new mass transit system.”
The idea is alongside 11 other propositions in locations across England, including further new towns in Oxfordshire, Bedfordshire, Devon, Cheshire and Gloucestershire, and urban development proposals in London, Bristol, Leeds and Manchester.
Although Milton Keynes has been listed as a possibility, the government response to the report stated that at this stage sites, their priority sites for development include Tempsford in Bedfordshire, Crews Hill in North London and Leeds South Bank. The government has said they want to start construction on at least 3 settlements before the next election.
A Strategic Environmental Assessment will now be undertaken to understand the environmental implications of developing new towns and of the 12 sites recommended by the report. No final decisions on locations will be made until this assessment concludes and preferred locations could change as a result of the process.
In a statement, the government said, “The government will publish the draft proposals and final SEA for consultation in Spring, before confirming the locations that will be progressed as new towns soon after. This will be alongside a full government response to the New Towns Taskforce’s report.
“The government will be looking for assurance that any location can be effectively and efficiently delivered in partnership with local communities, has a clear economic purpose, and will support economic growth. Different delivery vehicles will also be tested to learn lessons for how future large settlements are delivered and to contribute to a wider transformation of housing supply.”
In the full report, the developments are suggested in something intended to unlock Milton Keynes’ potential.
The report reads, “With development commencing in the city centre and in urban extensions, a renewed town can help unlock the full growth potential of Milton Keynes.
“While the sites are not geographically contiguous, they are intrinsically linked by their economic and social connections, which would be further strengthened by an enhanced public transport network. The construction of a bridge will bind the northern development to the city centre, whilst the eastern site will catalyse ongoing development, accelerating at pace.”
The report also stated, “Milton Keynes is known for its distinctive design identity, which has led to a perception of domination by the car, with ample, low-cost parking in the city centre being a particular feature. The low-density nature of the city centre has also contributed to a lack of vibrancy and activity, including in the night-time economy.
“Despite this, there has been a credible shift away from the city’s initial 1970s vision and now there is a population of almost 300,000 people, with renewed city standards for modern living. The initial sites will be well-served by a proposed mass rapid transit system. The city centre inclusion will create an engine to facilitate peripheral growth, providing the economic heart for the expanded city.”
Milton Keynes City Council wrote on social media that they would seek to involve local communities as the ideas develop.
They said, “The New Towns Taskforce has recommended Milton Keynes for development in Government plans to build the next generation of new towns. This would mean new facilities, more jobs and homes, and new dynamism for our city centre. We’ll involve communities as plans develop.”
Northamptonshire-based bakery chain Butterwick Bakery has closed down 12 of its 14 outlets across Southern England.
The bakery chain, based in Corby, has announced it will be closing down a majority of outlets, retaining only branches in Northampton and Rushden.
Outlets marked for closure include locations in Corby, Kettering, Milton Keynes, Rugby and Market Harborough, which all closed with immediate effect as per a statement released by the company on social media earlier this week. It is estimated over 60 employees have lost their jobs as a result of the move.
In their statement, they said that the decision had been as a result of a rise in operating costs.
They said, “It is with deep regret that we announce the closure of all Butterwick stores with immediate effect, apart from our Rushden Lakes and Northampton St Giles locations.
“This decision has not been made lightly. Despite tireless efforts to secure all stores and protect every role, the continued rise in operating costs and significant changes in customer spending habits have left us unable to sustain the business in its current form.
“We are heartbroken for the impact this has on our incredible team members, who have worked with such passion and dedication to deliver the warm, welcoming Butterwick experience that so many of you have come to love. We are immensely proud of every one of them and deeply grateful for their commitment.
“Looking ahead, however, this is not the end of Butterwick – it’s the beginning of an exciting new chapter. By focusing on Rushden and Northampton, we will be returning to our roots: an authentic in-store bakery experience where craft, freshness, and creativity come first.”
Two goals in 4 minutes saw Northampton Town beat Bolton Wanderers 3-0 at Sixfields.
Goals by Cameron McGeehan and Sam Hoskins saw Kevin Nolan’s side take the points against a side their manager represented as a player, in a result that saw the hosts win for the 4th time in 5 outings.
Three points helped the Cobblers bounce back from defeat in the league by Wycombe in their last encounter, with a win seeing them move up to 13th in the table, one point behind the side that they beat in the match.
Having picked up a morale boost by beating the Chelsea juniors 3-0 in the EFL Trophy in midweek, Northampton turned back to the league as they welcomed Bolton to Sixfields.
The visitors had arrived having been unbeaten since the opening match of the League One campaign, and Bolton had an early opportunity as Marcus Forss was denied by Cobblers keeper Ross Fitzsimons.
Mason Burstow then missed the target from close range after a defensive lapse had lead him to an opportunity with only Fitzsimons to beat.
Despite losing Ethan Wheatley to an injury, Northampton pressed, with Dean Campbell seeing one strike blocked and another bounce just wide, before Jordan Thorniley saw a header also miss the target.
Forss saw a strike well blocked by Fitzsimons just after half-time as Bolton had a moment when they searched for the goal to open the scoring.
But with 20 minutes to go, Northampton took the lead. Campbell got into space before playing in a cross, with his ball picking out McGeehan to turn the ball home.
A second then followed a few moments later. A foul on Michael Forbes was penalised, with Northampton awarded a penalty. From 12 yards, Hoskins was denied by Bolton keeper Teddy Sharman-Lowe, but Hoskins’ rebound found the back of the net to put the home side 2-0 in front.
Fitzsimons denied Sam Dalby in the final minute of regular time, but the Cobblers ultimately did enough to take the three points.
Northampton now turn their attentions to keeping their run going, as they make the trip to Port Vale next time out.
Gillingham manager Gareth Ainsworth is to undergo heart surgery, which will see him miss the club’s upcoming games, including next weekend’s match at MK Dons.
The 52-year-old will stay away from the club for an undisclosed period of time, with his assistant Richard Dobson taking charge of the Gills’ upcoming matches.
The period of absence was confirmed by the Kent-based side as beginning immediately. Gillingham’s next match, which will be their first with Dobson in charge on Ainsworth’s behalf, is their match away at MK Dons next Saturday.
Ainsworth took charge of Gillingham’s last match, which saw them lose for the first time this season as they were beaten 1-0 by Harrogate yesterday (27/09).
The former Wycombe, QPR and Shrewsbury boss revealed that the issue was discovered during a health screening organised by the League Managers Association (LMA) at the end of last season, and that he intended to return after the surgery and some recovery time.
Ainsworth told the club’s website in a statement, “I went for the LMA health check in May and they found something with my heart. I’ve got to have heart surgery this week. It sounds dramatic, but it’s a routine thing they do.
“This has all been planned. Get behind Dobbo and the team, they will be stepping up. I’ll be off for a few weeks, and then I’ll be back.”
Gillingham owner Brad Galinson added, “We’ve known for many weeks about Gareth’s upcoming surgery. In typical Gareth style, he was deliberating about the best time to have it, but Shannon and I were concerned about only one thing – Gareth getting the surgery as early as possible. His health alone is the priority here, so it was not a conversation as far as we were concerned.
“When we appointed the best manager in League Two back in March, we also felt we were getting the best Assistant Manager in the league, so we have no doubt the team is in safe hands in Gareth’s absence. We ask now that the fans, as they always do, get right behind the boys and Dobbo.”
In a statement, Gillingham added, “The club wishes Gareth a speedy recovery and looks forward to his return.”
Luton Town picked up the points as they were 1-0 winners over Doncaster Rovers at Kenilworth Road.
Kal Naismith’s first half goal was enough to settle a tight contest, as although Nakhi Wells missed a penalty, Luton picked up the points after back-to-back defeats.
The result sees Luton ease some of the pressure on boss Matt Bloomfield after losses in their previous two games, with the Hatters rising up to 10th in the table after their opening 9 games of the League One campaign. They sit 3 points off the play-offs and 6 behind the automatic promotion places.
Luton had opportunities in the first half of the contest. Lamine Fanne had a strike from distance repelled by away keeper Ian Lawlor, before Lawlor denied Fanne again when the midfielder was fed by Millenic Alli’s quick free-kick.
With five minutes of the first half remaining, George Saville’s free-kick found Naismith up from the back, and the defender duly beat Lawlor with his header to put them ahead.
The Hatters were then awarded a penalty just before the half-time break. Wells was brought down by Doncaster defender Jamie Sterry, but from 12 yards, Wells was denied by Lawlor and the game remained 1-0.
Doncaster offered more after the break, with Luke Molyneux seeing a shot just flash wide before Toyosi Olusanya was found in a perfect position by Jordan Gibson only to get his touch wrong and see the ball ricochet to the home keeper Josh Keeley.
Keeley then intervened again, with the keeper denying Molyneux, who would then miss a further opportunity in stoppage time.
But it would be job done for the Hatters, who were able to take the points. Luton will now seek to grab another victory next time out when they take on Blackpool.
