Mixed-use developer First Base and investors Patron Capital have received planning consent for the £190 million redevelopment of the iconic former council building, Saxon Court.
Milton Keynes Council have approved plans for a new space to live, work, and socialise, within the equivalent size of 19 tennis courts worth of publicly accessible space, at the gateway to Central Milton Keynes.
The development will see the retention, refurbishment, and extension of the original Saxon Court building, which will save over 3,750 tonnes of Co2.
The 2.35 acre site, which will be known as MK Gateway, will create over 2,000 new jobs, deliver over £280m in social value over the next 20 years, and provide opportunities for independent food, drink, and retail outlets, including workshop space for local SMEs.
MK Gateway will also see the development of two new buildings; the Shed, a space for local businesses to make and create, and the Village, which, alongside 288 apartments, will incorporate a UK first - 11 vertical gardens, totalling 4,500 square feet, for residents to share and enjoy.
The development is set to be the first in Central Milton Keynes to comply with MK Council’s affordable housing policy, with 31% of homes available for a discounted market rent.
MK Gateway will support the council’s aspirations for a greener, healthier Milton Keynes. This includes a focus on sustainable mobility, which will see the integration of all-electric energy solutions within the development, infrastructure to support electric bikes and charging points for electric vehicles and, as the site links directly onto the Redways, a dedicated independent Cycle Hub will be created.
First Base and Patron Capital acquired Saxon Court in October 2020 and have developed the plans following comprehensive consultation with local residents, businesses, community representatives and stakeholders. Over 6,000 responses were received over the consultation process.
Steve Eccles, Project Director at First Base explains: “We are delighted to have received support from the council for our innovative and sustainable mixed-use development in central Milton Keynes. We will now look to continue to engage and work with Milton Keynes Council, local businesses, charities, and the community to bring our exciting plans to life.
“On behalf of First Base and Patron Capital, I would like to say a huge thank you to Milton Keynes for welcoming us, and our forward-thinking ideas, with open arms and for working with us to create plans that will redefine future living in the city.”
