Vision for new homes in Milton Keynes revealed

22 Mar Vision for new homes in Milton Keynes revealed

PLATFORM_ submits planning application to Milton Keynes City Council to build 355 sustainable homes, including 110 much-needed affordable homes

8 March 2023 – Leading build-to-rent (BTR) developer and operator, PLATFORM_, has submitted a planning application to Milton Keynes City Council to deliver a high quality residential-led development in Milton Keynes, representing over £100m of investment.

Located along the Milton Keynes central spine road of Midsummer Boulevard, the proposed development will provide 355 thoughtfully designed new homes, over 8,000 sq ft of state-of-the-art resident amenities, 7,500 sq ft of landscaped terraces and a flexible commercial offering.

Importantly, it is proposed that 31 per cent of the homes delivered will be available at discounted market rent (DMR) providing much-needed high-quality housing which is affordable to a wide range of local residents. A mix of studio, one, two and three-bedroom apartments are proposed, with a selection of finishes and furniture options to suit a range of modern lifestyles.

Branded as PLATFORM_ MK, the development will reach up to 20-storeys and will feature state-of-the-art on-site resident amenities including a dedicated co-working hub, residents’ lounge, games room, cinema room, gym and a private dining space incorporating a bespoke bar area.

There will be three outdoor areas for residents including a dedicated pet zone, child-friendly play area and landscaped garden on the 1^st floor, as well as further terraces with panoramic views across the city and facilities for entertaining friends and family on the 14^th and 17^th floors.

Just a seven-minute walk to the train station with links to London and Birmingham in 28 and 60 minutes respectively, PLATFORM_ MK boasts an unrivalled location to enjoy the best of the city and beyond. Its proximity to an abundance of local amenities including The Hub MK, Centre:MK and Campbell Park aligns with the 20-minute neighbourhood model.

PLATFORM_ MK represents the developer’s 11^th high-quality BTR neighbourhood and will follow on from the completion of 1,500 apartments in Cardiff, Sheffield, Glasgow and Edinburgh during 2023 and 2024.

Jean-Marc Vandevivere, CEO at PLATFORM_, said: “Milton Keynes is enhancing its reputation as a destination of choice for skilled workforces and businesses alike as it continues to diversify its offering and celebrate its new city status. Through the delivery of high-quality homes for a wide demographic, PLATFORM_ will further establish Milton Keynes as one of the fastest growing UK cities.

“MK City Council is a forward-thinking local authority that, like PLATFORM_, prioritises sustainability by targeting carbon neutral operations by 2030. We’ve actively engaged with the council and a range of local stakeholders to create our proposed vision for homes that respond to the city’s needs, and importantly, positively deliver against Milton Keynes’ Housing Strategy 2020 – 2025.

“PLATFORM_ MK will contribute to bridging the gap between demand and supply of high-quality homes in the city-centre while setting new standards for design, service and quality.”

The energy conscious and sustainable design will combine renewable energy sources, smart in-home technologies and energy efficient heating and lighting systems, to create a low carbon development.

This includes the use of air source heat pumps, sustainable urban drainage and solar panels across the development. Residents will also benefit from multiple electric vehicle car charging points and car club parking spaces, encouraging people to reduce individual car ownership. More than 500 cycle spaces will be available, promoting active travel options.

PLATFORM_ MK will lead the way with its biodiversity credentials as it is expected to achieve a biodiversity net gain of 79% – significantly higher than the current legislative benchmark of 10%.  The ecological benefits are also strong, swift bricks and bird and bat boxes are included across the development, which were integrated following feedback from local stakeholders.

Dipa Joshi, Partner (Residential Lead), at Fletcher Priest Architects, said: “It has been a positive experience working on this exciting project which will create a landmark for central Milton Keynes, supporting its growth as a city. PLATFORM_ is a forward thinking and engaged client who aspire for sustainability and innovation in the residential market.”