With both Milton Keynes (April 2022) and Buckinghamshire (September 2022) having completed their Call for Sites, work can now progress on the evidence bases of both plans in preparation of expected Regulation 18 consultations during 2023.
Whilst the results of the call for sites are yet to be published, it is known that Buckinghamshire will need to identify greenfield sites for allocation as it has already been acknowledged that there are insufficient brownfield sites across the county to meet need.
The similar Local Plan timetables, with both plans working to adoption before 2025, provides an opportunity for strong collaboration between Milton Keynes Council and Buckinghamshire Council, particularly around the spatial strategy for north Buckinghamshire. Milton Keynes, through its Growth Strategy, has already explored potential growth options for the area, with allocations on the edge on Milton Keynes in the VALP showing the potential the area offers to meet Buckinghamshire’s need. With a potential route for a southern bypass reserved through the South East MK site, there may be mutual benefits in the authorities collaborating and exploring the potential of this area in more detail.