Time to invest in CMK Market

Milton Keynes is a city which does things differently. Whereas many places are defined by their past, Milton Keynes is a city which looks forwards to the future. Whether looking at Central Milton Keynes Shopping Centre, built in the early days of Milton Keynes; or the much more recent stadium:mk which brought football to Milton Keynes; it's clear Milton Keynes is a city of ambition. We seek to create our own history, rather than dwelling on our past.

That said, it is important we recognise our heritage and that we don't lose sight of the many things which make Milton Keynes such a fantastic place to live.

Many cities across Britain have a Primark. Fewer cities have strong vibrant markets and only Milton Keynes has a grid road system which allows the fast movement and quick distribution of traffic. It's not often you're stuck behind a traffic jam in Milton Keynes!

The problem with the Secklow Gate Primark development was that it sought to damage some of what was good about Milton Keynes.

As I've said many times, I would welcome seeing a Primark built in CMK. Secklow Gate was the wrong location.

I am delighted that the livelihoods of market traders are no longer threatened. However now is not the time to stop the campaign, especially as thecentre:mk may look to submit revised plans on the same location.

Well over 14,000 people signed a petition to save the market, and I'm incredibly proud to have played a part in campaigning from the very beginning.

Now that we know what the market means to the people of Milton Keynes, it is clear we should be looking to invest in it. CMK Market is a highly valued community asset but it clearly needs some attention and a lot of investment.

As long as I remain a Councillor, I will be pushing for investment in CMK Market to ensure it remains a strong vibrant market for years to come.

Emily Darlington backs CMK Market

CMK Market will not survive, if proposals to move the market and make way for a new Primark are approved by Milton Keynes Council according to hard pressed market traders.   

Market traders met with Emily Darlington and local Labour Councillor Paul Williams to express their fear that the market would be lost to CMK and they would lose their livelihoods.

This meeting took place one week after market traders served a deputation at a meeting of Milton Keynes Council to outline their concerns. Market traders also expressed their anger at not being consulted over the plans, which they say would see CMK Market moved to a site with less footfall and 40% less space than the original.

Emily Darlington, Labour Parliamentary Spokesperson for Milton Keynes North opposed plans to move CMK Market after meeting with concerned market traders about the impact on their business and local residents.  

Milton Keynes Council will decide whether to approve the planning application at a meeting of the Development Control Committee later this year. English Heritage have also written in opposition to the plans.

 Emily Darlington, the Labour Parliamentary Spokesperson for Milton Keynes North said, "I am shocked and appalled that market traders have not been consulted over plans which will have a massive impact on their livelihoods and could see an end to over 400 jobs.

 “I am not opposed to a new Primark being built in Central Milton Keynes but the Council should investigate better locations in CMK where this could be built without destroying the market or our central grid roads.

Emily Darlington continued “CMK Market is an important part of the cultural make-up of Milton Keynes. If we lose it, we lose a part of our history”.

Cllr Paul Williams, Labour Councillor for Campbell Park Ward concluded, “Having listened to the views of local residents, and the market traders, I am opposed to the current plans for this development. The proposed development would not only destroy our central grid roads and inconvenience commuters, it would put at risk a vibrant market which is an asset to our community.

Police and Crime Plan

The newly elected Police and Crime Commissioner for Thames Valley has published his draft Police and Crime Plan. This sets out the PCC's priorities over the next five years.

You can find the Plan and respond to the Consultation here: 

PCC Police and Crime Plan

Paul stands up for CMK Market

Paul, this week, asked the Leader of Milton Keynes Council to work with market traders to ensure a strong vibrant market survives in Central Milton Keynes.

This took place at a meeting of Milton Keynes Council, where market traders served a deputation expressing their own fears about the future of CMK Market, if the proposed Primark development were to go ahead.

Milton Keynes Council will decide whether to approve the planning application at a meeting of the Development Control Committee later this year.

Paul said, "I am pleased the Leader of Milton Keynes Council has agreed to work with market traders to ensure a strong vibrant market remains in Central Milton Keynes". 

Having listened to the views of local residents, I will be opposing the CMK Primark application at the Development Control Committee". 

While I welcome the creation of new jobs in Milton Keynes, I do not believe this should be achieved at the expense of market traders. There are other locations in CMK where this could be built without putting livelihoods at risk".

Paul to hold Fishermead surgeries

I will be holding regular monthly drop in surgeries at the Trinity Centre, Fishermead on the first Friday of every month at 4pm. 

Dates are as follows:

11^th January 2013

Then every 1st Friday on

1^st February 2013

1^st March 2013

5^th April 2013

3^rd May 2013

7^th June 2013

5^th July 2013

2^nd August 2013

6^th September 2013

4^th October 2013

1^st November 2013

6^th December 2013

Paul attends Fred Roche Gardens Naming Ceremony

Last week I attended the Naming and Dedication Ceremony for Fred Roche Gardens, formerly City Gardens, in Central Milton Keynes. It was a lovely event, held to honour Fred Roche, one of the founding fathers of Milton Keynes as General Manager of Milton Keynes Development Corporation.

I was pleased to support the renaming of the Gardens and have welcomed the Council's commitment to support regeneration of the Gardens, ensuring they remain a fitting tribute to Fred Roche.

Find out more about Fred Roche here

Paul raises concerns over proposed Primark

I have raised a number of concerns over the proposed Secklow Gate Primark development, on behalf of local residents and market stall traders. My full submission to the Development Control Committee is below:

Members of the Development Control Committee   I wholeheartedly welcome the creation of new jobs and greater investment in Milton Keynes. However I have a number of concerns with these applications, which I would like addressed if the development is to go ahead.   My primary concern is for the market traders who will be relocated under these proposals. While I welcome the creation of new jobs, this should not be achieved at the expense of market traders. I would like assurances that no market traders will lose their livelihoods because of this development. I have also noted Hammersons objections to the location of the market and I would like assurances that a robust assessment of potential locations was carried out.   The demolition of Secklow Gate Bridge is also a concern. This will have a significant impact on residents in my ward, particularly residents of Fishermead and Central Milton Keynes itself, who use the bridge to get to the north of Milton Keynes. This will also penalise cyclists who use the bridge, doing much harm to our efforts to promote cycling in Milton Keynes. I have received a number of objections to the demolition of the bridge, all of which I have forwarded to the Planning Department of Milton Keynes Council. I would like assurances that a full assessment of the likely effects of the demolition has been carried out, as well as assurances that potential negative consequences will be addressed quickly.   My final concern relates to the building itself. I fully support the decision by English Heritage to make the shopping building a Grade II listed building. I would like assurances that the design and building materials used for this development, respect the adjoining listed building.   Assuming all these issues are addressed, I have no objection to the applications.   Kind Regards   Cllr Paul Williams Campbell Park Ward Milton Keynes Council