Regeneration Project Update

We are still waiting for Milton Keynes Council Planning Officers to make a decision on the final application for the change of use on the former Parish Hall. The relevant committee at the Council have already granted us the Listed Building Consent for Change of Use with the extension to form a single dwelling, and subsequently gave us consent for the extension to form the new hall adjoining the Parish Church. Our agents have written a further report requested by the Officers and we hope to hear in due course that we have obtained the final consent. The former hall can then be sold to cover the cost of the extension.

In the meantime plans are now in place for the Restoration / Reordering of St Mary & St Giles Church to commence. This will enable the 1930 north west extension to be taken down and extended in such a way as to replicate the architecture of the north eastern part of that extension which was built in the Victorian period. This part of the vestry buildings is by Swinfen-Harris (a renowned local architect) and it is good that the style will be replicated on the new extension. At the time of writing the works have begun off-site for the Restoration / Reordering and everything shouild arrive, rather like a jigsaw puzzle, in the New Year. The works inside the Paish Church should take about four weeks. When the works are underway progress reports with photographs will be posted.

I was advised yesterday that the works to erect the exterior lighting scheme should commence on the 17th November which will mean that the southern path in the churchyard will be much safer to use at night and will, hopefully, deter anti-social behaviour. That part of the churchyard will almost certainly be out of use while the works are undertaken and it is to be hoped that this time people will observe those restrictions. When works to the trees were taking place people still walked straight through, despite barrier tape and warning notices, while boughs were being taken off the trees above their heads. It takes all sorts and conditions of men..........!