Jul 19 2005
Milton Keynes Partnership (MKP) today released planning consent for 1,400 homes at Broughton Gate on the east of Milton Keynes.
The consent, given to Gallagher Estates, is a UK first with the developer agreeing to "trailblaze" an infrastructure tariff - a new form of section 106 agreement that will help fund the infrastructure needed for growth. Milton Keynes is the first area in the country to seek enhanced contributions from developers through an infrastructure tariff at a fixed rate as a new means of ensuring long-term funding. MKP will facilitate the timely construction of local and strategic infrastructure and then collect payments from the developers.
The Partnership hopes to roll out the process across the whole of the Urban Development Area (UDA) and will be seeking similar contributions from developers of over 15,000 new homes.
Jane Hamilton, Chief Operating Officer of Milton Keynes Partnership explains, "At the moment these agreements are usually put together in a piecemeal way. We have looked at the big picture. This is a much more strategic approach that lets us plan properly for the future. It should help ensure that we get new infrastructure to meet existing and future community needs."
The Partnership, created in June last year, is responsible for growth, development and investment in the new city and brings together English Partnerships, Milton Keynes Council, Local Strategic Partnership representatives from the health, community and business sectors and independent representation.