Most development requires planning permission and it the responsibility of the local planning authority to decide if the type of development proposed is acceptable.

In Milton Keynes there are two local planning authorities: Milton Keynes Partnership (MKP) and Milton Keynes Council (MKC).

MKP covers the Northern, Western and Eastern Expansion Areas and remaining sites within the existing grid squares of Oxley Park, Tattenhoe Park and Kingsmead. MKP is also the Local Planning Authority for Land adjoining the A421 containing Eagle Farm and Glebe Farm, identified as "strategic reserve" sites. MKC retains planning powers for the remainder of the city and for smaller development within the Expansion Areas.

MKP was given its planning powers in June 2004 by the Milton Keynes (Urban Area and Planning Functions) Order 2004 (S.I. 2004 No. 932)This link opens in a new window , which specifies the size and type of development to which those powers relate.

MKP has worked in partnership with landowners and developers within the Eastern and Western Expansion Areas to agree an overarching Section 106 agreement, known as the Infrastructure Tariff, which has agreed principles for the forward funding and provision of infrastructure. These principles have been carried forward and incorporated into site-specific agreements.

The site-specific agreements obligate developers to pay £18,500 to MKP for each new house and around £67 for every square meter of commercial floorspace which will be used to help fund community facilities and infrastructure.

All planning applications submitted to MKP are determined by the MKP Planning Sub-Committee, which meets on a monthly basis. Members of the Planning Sub-Committee include representatives from MKC, English Partnerships, the Local Strategic Partnership and independents. The meetings are open to the public, and members of the public are able to register to speak at the meetings.

More information about the planning process can be found on the Planning Portal websiteThis link opens in a new window.

Development Control Manual

MKP's internal procedures for the development control process are set out in the Development Control Manual:

Click on the expansion areas in the map below to view more details:

West Expansion Area	X

East Expansion Area	X

North Expansion Area	X

Highway improvements nearing completion

Improvements at the Abbey Hill Roundabout to ensure that Milton Keynes’ highway infrastructure can safely and efficiently handle the projected increase in traffic as the city continues to grow will be completed in May 2008.

Plans revealed for new Milton Keynes Coachway

An impressive gateway to Milton Keynes moved one step closer as plans were revealed for the new coach terminal near Junction 14.

New report on longer term city growth areas

For more information and further details about the Strategic Development Area report, see Milton Keynes Council's website.

Committee and Stakeholder Group meetings

Dates of the next committee and stakeholder group meetings can be found in the Diary.