2050 Growth Study for Milton Keynes
January 21, 2020
Heather Pugh
3185 Views
This week sees the publication of DLA’s MK2050 Milton Keynes Strategic Growth Study, undertaken as background evidence for Milton Keynes Council’s Strategy for 2050, out for public engagement until April 2020.
Back in 2017, as preparation for the new city of Milton Keynes reaching its half century, the Milton Keynes Futures 2050 Commission produced a series of reports entitled Milton Keynes: Making a Great City Greater, in order to re-ignite bold ambitions for the future of the city.
Our Growth Study takes forward the growth ambitions expressed through both the Futures work and the Council Plan 2016-22 – the latter of which anticipates continued growth of Milton Keynes to a population of 500,000 people by 2050 – to analyse how this level and type of growth might manifest itself spatially and over time.
The Brief for the Study was to determine what scale and pace of population and economic growth might be possible and desirable within the Milton Keynes area to around the year 2050, and to establish the likely capacity within the existing city to accommodate additional growth. In addition, the Study has examined how future growth beyond the designated area of the New Town – including cross boundary growth – might achieve sustainable patterns of mobility and development and deliver real and sustained benefits back to the existing population of Milton Keynes.
Heather Pugh, Planning Partner commented that “Long term spatial planning based on ‘good geography’ which secures benefits for infrastructure and the environment as well as local communities is something we strongly believe in. As a practice residing in the heart of Milton Keynes, being asked to prepare a Growth Study which we hope will help shape the future of our ‘home patch’ was a privilege. The Council have taken a bold and innovative approach to unlock conversations about planning for long term growth, specifically designed to engage those sectors of the population who find it harder to have a voice about planning issues but whose lives are often impacted by a failure to plan”.
The Growth Study can be found at: https://www.mkfutures2050.com/evidence-for-the-strategy-for-2050
For further information, contact Heather Pugh, Partner. T:01908 666276

Heather Pugh
Partner
RELATED NEWS
DLA Feature in RIBA’s London 21 Directory
January 11, 2021
DLA are proud to be included, with our architect colleagues at Bryden Wood, in the London 21 RIBA publication for the recent best in class delivery of the Circle Health rehabilitation hospital.
Standard method and constraints in five plans
December 17, 2020
The Planning for the Future White Paper proposes establishing housing requirements that factor in land constraints. This blog analyses how this could work and what the effect of the proposal would be on local planning authorities across England.
Recruiting Ambitious Planners
December 14, 2020
We are recruiting Associate and Senior Associate level planners to join our busy and innovative company.
DLA is recruiting experienced masterplanners
December 9, 2020
We are looking for senior masterplanners with an outstanding track record to work on some of the UK's most significant growth and regeneration challenges, for prestigious and forward-thinking clients. Find out more here.
Graduate job opportunities: Make sure your application stands out from the crowd
December 7, 2020
DLA is recruiting graduate planners and virtual work experience candidates.
Green light for major urban extension to Corby
December 3, 2020
DLA has secured two unanimous resolutions to grant outline planning permission at committee for a major cross-boundary urban extension to Corby, on behalf of master developer Urban&Civic.
The Planning White Paper – An Alternative Vision
November 27, 2020
In her headline speech at the TCPA Annual Conference, DLA’s Managing Partner Julia Foster argues that successful reform can only be achieved through the involvement of those who work at the heart of the planning system.
Become Part Of A Leading Creative Spatial Planning Practice
November 12, 2020
We are looking for enthusiastic, bright and committed planners and urban designers to join our leading spatial planning practice next summer.
Garden Communities and New Towns Conference
November 12, 2020
DLA recently exhibited at a BEN Conference to highlight our work with Garden Communities & New Towns.
DLA retains EIA Quality Mark
November 5, 2020
Following a review of DLA's Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) activities by the Institute of Environmental Management & Assessment (IEMA), we have retained IEMA's prestigious EIA Quality Mark.