Development Process

Before Milton Keynes Partnership (MKP) can make a decision on a planning application, consultations are undertaken with the local community and other interest groups.

Consultation letters are sent to immediate neighbours, local parish councils, local ward members and other groups who may have an interest in the proposed development. Site and press notices are also used to advise people of the planning application. All comments received are considered and reported to the Planning Sub-Committee when the application is determined.

In addition to considering comments from the local community, consideration must be given to policies which provide guidance for all development within Milton Keynes. The Milton Keynes Local PlanThis link opens in a new window    sets out these policies and is supplemented by further guidance known as Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG). SPG can cover specific subjects such as parking standards or can be area-based and produced as development framework plans.

Development frameworks

Development frameworks have been produced jointly by Milton Keynes Council (MKC) and MKP for the Northern, Eastern and Western expansion areas. MKC remains the plan-making authority, however. These frameworks have been adopted by MKC and are used in the assessment of planning applications by MKP. They also provide guidance for developers for the preparation of other planning documents, namely development briefs and design codes.

Development frameworks set out the vision for an area, and determine land uses together with the phasing of development. General design and development principles are incorporated to guide the form and nature of development, together with any requirements for infrastructure.

Development briefs

Development briefs are produced by applicants and developers in order to illustrate how their proposals comply with local plan policy and the development framework plans. They are an intermediate document between a development framework and the detailed design codes. They are submitted either prior to, or with, the submission of an outline planning application. A development brief:

• Sets out the vision and context of the site
• Establishes the development principles
• Sets out the relationship between existing and new development
• Identifies key infrastructure and phasing
• Should incorporate a master-plan defining density, land use and character areas
• Identify movement network

Design codes

Design codes are detailed design documents; they build on the vision contained within the development brief. Design codes are required to be submitted by the applicant, or developer, after the grant of outline planning permission and before the submission of applications for Reserved Matters. They are technical documents which provide a set of design principles. These principles will verify how the vision set out within the development brief will be achieved.

A design code should address the following:

• Public space
• The form and character of development
• Boundary treatment
• Building heights
• Architectural detail
• Materials
• Environmental standards

Planning approval

Planning permission will be granted for developments which comply with policy and approved development briefs and design codes. Outline planning permission gives consent for the principle of development and a further planning application will be made for the details, layout and appearance of the buildings. These applications are called Reserved Matters.

Planning approval is generally granted subject to conditions. These are included within the decision notice. The decision notice also has to give reasons for approval. MKP will notify anybody who made representations on an application of the final decision.

The refusal of planning permission has to be based on planning reasons and is open to appeal. An appeal is made to the Planning Inspectorate and can be heard in one of three ways: written representation, hearing and public inquiry. Anybody who made representations on an application will be notified of the appeal and have the right to make further representations.