Plan for submission evidence base

Comment

Representation ID: 10078

Received: 28/07/2022

Respondent: Milton Keynes Borough Council

The Employment Land Study (May 2022) identifies a need for between 118 to 142 hectares of land for B8 warehousing and logistics over the period through to 2040. It recommends a focus upon high quality business park development to maximise the location at the centre of the Ox-Cam Arc. However, of this need, between 36-61 hectares is identified for warehousing, which is a land use that is generally ‘foot loose’ across areas with good access to the strategic road network. The Local Plan 2040: Plan for Submission allocates land for a total of 136 hectares for employment uses across a variety of sites of differing sites, which is towards the upper end of the forecasted need range.
The allocations appear to provide a suitable and diverse supply of sites for warehousing to meet needs over the plan period. However, it should be recognised that there is uncertainty over how attractive those sites would be to the market based on specific-locational factors and site characteristics.
Notwithstanding this, the strategy for meeting employment needs does not raise concern in terms of unmet needs creating further demand for land within Milton Keynes for logistics and warehousing. This change and clarification between the draft plan stage and the Local Plan 2040: Plan for Submission has addressed the concerns previously raised and is welcomed.