Housing
Milton Keynes Council
Consultation on the Fenny Lock Gypsy
and Traveller site Review
www.milton-keynes.gov.uk/housing-strategy
1
Background
The Fenny Lock Gypsy and Travellers site was identified in the Local Plan in 2005
and work is underway to develop the site. The total cost of the scheme is £1.8m, of
which £600,000 has already been spent/committed on preparing the site.
In July 2011 the Council’s Cabinet decided to suspend further development of the
site pending the outcome of a review. The purpose of the review is to:


Consider if the project is good value for money; or
If other housing projects would give greater value for money.
What can we spend the money on?
The Cabinet has decided that the funds can only be used for “capital spending” on
housing.
“Capital spending” broadly means money spent on acquiring or upgrading assets.
So spending money on building new homes or refurbishing existing ones would
count as capital spending.
We would like your views on the following options:
1) Continue with the Fenny Lock Gypsy and Traveller Site
2) Spend the money on getting more homes for those in need
3) Spend the money on improving council housing
4) A mix of the above options
5) None of the above but a different housing project
A brief explanation of each of these options is provided on the following page.
All figures given are estimates for illustrative purposes only. Options 2 and 3 would
need further development if selected.
What difference will it make if I get involved?
This paper is not making any recommendations about the alternative use of
funding. It seeks your views about which of the options you think the Council
should spend its money on.
Your views will help with the review of the project and will be considered by
Cabinet when making their decision.
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What are the options?
1) Continue with the Fenny Lock Gypsy and Traveller Site
Fenny Lock has planning permission for 10 Gypsy and Traveller pitches. The total
cost of the scheme is £1.8m, of which £600,000 has already been spent.
The Government is currently consulting on proposals for local planning authorities
to maintain a 5 year supply of sites for Travellers. If this proposal is confirmed the
council will be required to meet the need for traveller’s sites. Without the Fenny
Lock site the council would need to ‘consider favourably’ applications for Traveller’s
sites on non-allocated sites in the Milton Keynes area.
If we continue with the scheme a total of 10 new pitches will be produced as
planned.
2) Spend the money on getting more homes for those in need
The Council owns approximately 14,000 homes and has a legal duty to provide
housing to those in need (as set out in the council’s housing options and
allocations scheme). If this option was selected, the council could use the money to
increase the supply of homes to those in need, through building new properties or
buying existing ones. This would help to reduce the time spent in temporary
accommodation for those waiting to be housed. It would not change the council’s
criteria for who can be housed. This is not a short term solution and it would take
up to two years to introduce the additional properties.
With this option we estimate that we could get 12 - 17 additional homes.
3) Spend the money on improving council housing
Significant investment is needed to ensure that existing council housing remains fit
for purpose. The council has estimated that there is a need to spend approximately
£36m per year to maintain its 14,000 homes. There is only £9m to spend on
improving council housing in this financial year. If this option was selected, the
money could be spent on various schemes (for example replacing windows and
doors in council homes)
With this option we could, for example, replace windows and doors in 266
council homes.
4) A mix of the above options
We could split the money between the options above.
5) None of the above but a different housing project
There are other housing projects that we could consider (such as loans to bring
empty private sector homes back into use or mortgage rescue schemes). Please
make any suggestions that you have on the feedback form.
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Feedback Form
What do you want me to do?
We would like your opinion about how Council should spend its money by simply
ticking one box below.
Option
1) Continue with the Fenny Lock Gypsy and Traveller Site
Selection
2) Spend the money on getting more homes for those in need
3) Spend the money on improving council housing
4) A mix of the above options (please explain which options you
would like to spend the money on in the box below)
5) None of the above but a different housing project
(please explain below)
About you
To ensure we are meeting the needs of all residents, it is important that we ask you
a few questions about yourself. The information will be used to analyse responses
amongst broad groups, for example residents over 60. The information you provide will
be treated anonymously.
Age (please tick one box)
Under 25 
25-44 
45-59 
60-74
Gender (please tick one box)
Male 
Female 
4
75 and over 
Ethnic origin (please tick one box)
White (British)  White (Irish)  White (other)  Black (Caribbean) 
Black African)  Black (other) Mixed heritage (White & Black Caribbean) 
Mixed heritage (White & Black African)  Mixed heritage (White & Asian) 
Asian (Indian)  Asian (Pakistani)  Asian (Bangladeshi)  Chinese 
Other (please specify)  Prefer not to say 
Do you consider yourself to have a disability?
Yes 
No 
Prefer not to say 
Name:……………………………………………………………………………
Address:………………………………………………………………………….
…………………………………………………………………………………….
…………………………………………………Post code:……………………….
Phone No:…………………………………………………………………………
Thank you for completing this questionnaire
Please return your form By 12 noon on Friday 9th December 2011
By Email to:
[email protected]
Or by post to:
Milton Keynes Council
Housing Strategy and Development Team
Civic Offices
1 Saxon Gate East
Central Milton Keynes
MK9 3EJ
If you have any questions about the consultation please ring Paul Gibson on 01908
253109
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Consultation on the Fenny Lock Gypsy and
Traveller site Review
www.milton-keynes.gov.uk/service
Available in audio, large print,
Braille and other languages
Tel 01908 253109
Milton Keynes Council
Civic Offices
1Saxon Gate East
Central Milton Keynes
MK9 3EJ
6
T 01908 253109
E [email protected]
W www.milton-keynes.gov.uk