Historic England threatens judicial review over Wolverton Works

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By Phil Marsh

AS REPORTED in HR issue 231, the first stage of the so-called ‘redevelopment’ of Wolverton Works by property developer St Modwen commenced on July 3.

This involved land clearance of a former workshop and traverser area revealing rail, hawsers and other related materials. Parts of the famous mile-long 10ft-high works brick wall will also be demolished as part of this work.

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The Royal Train being shunted at Wolverton Works on November 19, 2016. PHIL MARSH

Planning consent was granted in August 2015 to clear the land and then build a discount supermarket but crucially, there was no application for any demolition sought or granted.

In a second planning hearing on November 17, 2016 St Modwen was granted outline planning consent to demolish 95% of the buildings on the rest of the site despite the whole area being contained within a conservation area.

The applicant promised that no demolition would take place before detailed planning approval had been granted in several years’ time.

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At this hearing, it was agreed by Milton Keynes’ planners that the Section 106 funding levy would be £3 million, £750,000 below national planning policy guidelines, and affordable housing levels set at 12% – when national guidelines suggest 30% is the acceptable level.

Read more in Issue 233 of HR – on sale now!


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