Exciting plans for one of Milton Keynes’ most iconic buildings, Saxon Court, are set to lead the recovery and future growth of the city, with the creation of over 2,000 jobs and a local investment of £190 million.
In a huge boost to the city’s economy, the proposed 250,000 square foot site will create high quality workspace, homes alongside opportunities for local, independent food, drink, leisure and retail businesses. Fully supporting Milton Keynes’ fast-growing tech industries, the ‘beating heart’ of the site will be an innovation centre, offering flexible, fully integrated workspaces for local businesses and start-ups.
The former council building, which was acquired in October last year by mixed-use developers First Base and investors, Patron Capital is projected to generate £7.3m in local spend from residents and employees and £2.3m in Council Tax over five years. Within the next 20 years, it will also deliver over £280m in social value, providing long-term community benefits from local employment and training opportunities and improvements to local health, wellbeing and the environment.
Complementing the evolving skyline of Milton Keynes, the plans include a new, 27-storey residential building designed by world leading architects RSHP, as a nod to Milton Keynes’ ambition to become a city of the future.
The residential buildings will innovate urban living and provide around 287 apartments for rent, while complying with the council’s affordable housing policy. If planning permission is granted, Saxon Court will likely be the first development in Central Milton Keynes to have achieved this.
The proposals will also support Milton Keynes’ ambition to be a near zero carbon city with a high quality of life for all by 2050*, with a focus on emission free travel throughout.
Steve Eccles, Project Director, First Base explains:
“Our vision is to deliver a beautifully designed and highly sustainable development to support Milton Keynes’ post-Covid economic recovery and growth, embracing the city’s innovative spirit. Saxon Court will be retained, repurposed and extended, supporting new jobs, homes and social spaces.
“Building on the significant role it has played in the city’s history, Saxon Court will be an iconic part of Milton Keynes’ future.”
Developers have engaged the local community on its initial plans for Saxon Court in phase one of pubic consultation, which took place at the end of last year. Over 1,500 residents participated with an overwhelmingly positive response to the proposals. The second phase of the consultation process is now scheduled to take place later this month.
Already working hard to support the Milton Keynes economy, First Base has joined forces with local businesses to bring its visualisation for Saxon Court to life, while supporting the wider community through the pandemic. Significantly, the site is set to facilitate the roll-out of the Covid-19 vaccine to MK residents.
For more information and to have your say on the proposals visit https://saxoncourtmk.com/