Residents in Central Bedfordshire are raising concerns about the potential impact of major housing expansions from nearby Milton Keynes, as two significant developments reach critical planning stages. Local communities in villages such as Salford, Cranfield, and Marston Moretaine fear that these projects threaten their rural character and could overwhelm existing local services.
One of the primary projects, known as Keepers Place, is an outline planning application for up to 3,500 homes. The site is intended to span the border between Milton Keynes and Central Bedfordshire, with 2,750 homes proposed for the Milton Keynes side and 750 in Central Bedfordshire. The development is designed to include new employment space, public transport links, and amenities such as community hubs and schools. A decision on this application is expected by 6 May 2026, with Milton Keynes City Council and Central Bedfordshire Council each making separate decisions on their respective portions of the development.
Separately, a long-standing proposal for up to 5,000 homes in the Marston Valley is moving toward a decision after eight years of delays. The project, which covers land between Brogborough, Lidlington, and Marston Moretaine, is set to be considered by the local authority in April 2026. Developers behind these projects, including Hallam Land Management and O&H Properties Limited, have stated they intend to work with local councils to deliver necessary infrastructure.
These housing plans align with the national objectives of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, which has designated Milton Keynes as a site for a renewed new town to help meet a target of 1.5 million homes by 2029. The Milton Keynes City Plan 2050 further notes an ambition to explore opportunities for cross-boundary growth with Central Bedfordshire.
However, the Campaign to Protect Rural England has criticised the expansion, warning of the loss of countryside and the risk of creating a continuous urban sprawl. Local residents and representatives have also expressed worries regarding the capacity of current infrastructure, specifically noting that hospitals, doctors, and dentists are already under significant pressure. As these projects move through the planning process, the tension between regional housing requirements and the preservation of local village identity continues to be a central point of discussion for the community.
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