Milton Keynes City Council has announced plans to replace its three aging rubbish tips with new sites that are intended to be more modern facilities.

Proposals by the City Council intend to replace MK’s three current household recycling facilities in Bleak Hall, New Bradwell and Newport Pagnell with larger, greener and more modern Reuse and Recycling Centres in the north and south of the city.

Last year, local people dropped off nearly 25,000 tonnes of waste. MK City Council expects that as the city continues to grow, so will demand, with around 50% more waste and recycling estimated by their research to be taken to its tips by 2050.

At full capacity, the current sites can accommodate around 395,000 visits with no room for expansion, so the city council announced plans to almost double capacity by developing modern new Recycling and Reuse Centres in Wolverton and Snelshall that would accommodate 700,000 visits per year.

The City Council also say that the new facilities should benefit local residents with reduced congestion and noise for local residents as locations would be chosen that are better suited to host facilities, improved access for everyone, including people with mobility issues and those arriving on foot or bike, an extended range of items being accepted such as carpet for recycling and asbestos for secure disposal and a Reuse and Repair Shop where unwanted household items could be conveniently dropped off for reuse, giving them another useful life instead of being thrown away.

The City Council also plans for these new tips to be greener and more sustainable sites using solar power, with at least one site would be fully ‘off grid’ and powered by its own renewable energy provision, and greater weatherproofing with canopies and other considerations.

Interim Cabinet Member for the Public Realm, Cllr Akash Nayee, said, “We’re dealing with more waste and expect even more as the city grows, so it’s essential we plan for this. These modern and greener reuse and recycling centres would offer broader facilities in a better location and as such should be more accessible and pleasant for everyone to use.”

The announcement came in a week where the City Council also published plans to transform its existing waste recovery facilities in Wolverton into a site it has dubbed an Eco Park, with the intent that this will provide more green energy to the city and reduce carbon emissions. One of the proposed new Reuse and Recycling Centres would become part of the Eco Park.

A decision about the future of the MK’s tips will be made on 14 January.

Luton Town have announced the signing of Isaiah Jones from Middlesbrough.

The 25-year-old is the Hatters’ second signing of the January transfer window after the previously announced arrival of defender Christ Makosso.

Jones, who had also reportedly been of interest to West Brom, has signed for an undisclosed fee and signed a deal of undisclosed length to join the Hatters.

The Guyana international was signed in time to be featured in Luton’s matchday squad for their FA Cup tie at Nottingham Forest, with Luton later confirming he was in the starting line-up for the game at the City Ground later today (11/01).

The right-sided attacker, who can play as a winger or wing-back, had joined Middlesbrough in 2019 and made 148 appearances in all competitions for the club, scoring 13 times.

Jones had regularly featured for the North Eastern side this season, making 23 appearances in all competitions.

The deal was confirmed despite a week of change at Kenilworth Road, with Luton boss Rob Edwards leaving the club earlier this week after a slump in form.

Jones told the official Luton Town website of his delight to make the move to Bedfordshire.

He said, “I think it’s the perfect move for both parties. The project here, the success the club’s had over the past couple of years and moving back down south is an attractive proposition for me.

“This season’s been tough for Luton so far but there’s a really strong squad here and hopefully I can put a smile onto the fans’ faces.

“I’m direct, skilful and I like to give the crowd something to cheer. I can’t wait to get started.”

Milton Keynes Museum will be opening a new, state-of-the-art gallery later this month showing the area’s rich history.

The Ancient Gallery will be opening on January 23rd 2025 and the new site is designed to bring the new city’s past to life like never before, using the latest technology to stir imaginations.

Exhibitions being opened as part of this includes the fossilised remains of an Ichthyosaur.

Discovered during the excavations for Caldecotte Lake, the sea creature, which the museum has nicknamed Iggy, is 180 million years old. It reminds us that many millions of years before the idea of Milton Keynes was conceived, the area was undersea.

The gallery also houses remnants of much more recent dwellers, such as the woolly mammoths and woolly rhinos who once roamed the local area.

Visitors will explore life in the area during the palaeolithic and mesolithic times, and gain a greater understanding of just what those Roman visitors did for us – and how their legacy remains today.

“You’ll see how our ancestors lived, worked and played,” Museum Director Bill Griffiths said.

“A stunning mosaic discovered at Bancroft is displayed in a roundhouse setting – evocatively taking the visitors back in time, and we have more reason than most to do it – the largest roundhouse in the country was discovered here in MK, at Blue Bridge!

“Of all the community developments that began in the early days of Milton Keynes, the Museum is the oldest and the most successful,” Bill said.

“We were started by people in the community for people in the community and we stay true to that today – this is the people’s Museum.

“We are thrilled to still be here, and to now be able to tell the history of Milton Keynes in such a vivid way is so exciting.

“At a time when Museums are struggling with drops in revenue and hindered further by significant running costs, we really hope this gallery invigorates and entertains all who come to see it.

“We couldn’t be prouder of what we’ve achieved so far – and we have even more to come with the launch of our New Gallery later this year, which will shine a light on a very modern city,” Bill added.

The Ancient Gallery has been made possible with funding from Milton Keynes City Council, and support from the Headley Trust, the Hobson Foundation and a bequest from local resident Robert Excell.

It has taken nearly eight years to deliver this new gallery for Milton Keynes, with the museum set to be opened on the same day as the new city celebrates its 58th birthday.

“We are absolutely delighted to be able to share so many rare and precious artifacts with our visitors,” Bill added.

“Gain an understanding of The Bell Beaker People, marvel at the Bronze Age ceremonial sword pulled from the River Ouse locally, and explore the so-called Forgers Hoard on display.

“From weights, looms and flints to toys, jewellery and an insight into the Black Death that devastated the area several hundred years ago, we have delivered an outstanding space with exhibits that have genuine appeal for all ages, and one which really brings the history to life.

“I still think we are pioneers who are making the place better for our children. This gallery is all about a shared identity and knowing that we have all come from somewhere else to build our lives here,” Bill added, “To know your roots and your heritage is important.

“This gallery provides that knowledge – and every part of it should wow you!”

More information is available at https://miltonkeynesmuseum.org.uk/

Luton Town have confirmed the departure of striker Joe Taylor, who has joined League One side Huddersfield Town.

Taylor, 22, has joined the Terriers on a four-and-a-half year deal for an undisclosed fee, keeping him contracted to Huddersfield until 2029.

The deal sees Taylor return to League One, where he spent time on loan last season playing for Lincoln City and scored 10 times in 19 appearances.

The Hatters had signed Taylor from Peterborough in January 2023. In all, he made 18 appearances for the Hatters, with his most noteworthy contribution seeing him score in the Championship play-off final’s penalty shootout when Luton won promotion to the Premier League, having had a goal disallowed in extra time.

In a brief statement, Luton said, “We would like to thank Joe for his contribution and wish him all the best for his career.”

Huddersfield Head Coach Michael Duff told the club’s website that he was delighted to see the club get the deal done.

He said, “Knowing how hard the Club have worked on this deal for some time, I’m delighted to see Joe finally unveiled as a Huddersfield Town player and I’m excited to get working with him.

“The way he completed last season on loan with Lincoln City at this level right at the top of the league speaks to his character and will to succeed, and those are values we want to see in our players – you can never have too many winners in your group.

“We have wanted to add to our forward line since the summer, but only with the right profile and standard of player, and we believe Joe is just that. With a lot of important football left to play, we look forward to Joe contributing between now and the end of the season.”

Taylor himself added, “The ambition of the Club was really attractive to me, and after speaking to the Sporting Director and Head Coach, I was left with no doubt in my mind about the decision I wanted to make.

“It’s a league I know well and have enjoyed playing in, and I hope I can make a difference when it matters most to get our supporters out of their seats.”