Housing development could cross council boundaries

The proposed development is next to the M1 motorway

Concerns have been raised over a proposed housing development that could cross the boundary between two council areas.

If approved, the Keepers Place project could see up to 3,500 new homes built on land next to the M1 motorway near Milton Keynes, but also on land in neighbouring Central Bedfordshire.

Conservative Central Bedfordshire opposition councillor Sue Clark has voiced her concerns to the Local Democracy Reporting Service over the long term implications of the scheme.

But a Hallam Land Spokesperson said: "We have an exciting opportunity here to create a sustainable, inclusive and well-connected community that meets the aspirations and growing needs of the local area."

Conservative councillor Sue Clark fears this could be the start of more development from Milton Keynes City Council in Central Bedfordshire

The development is part of Milton Keynes City Council's Local Plan 2050, but would be the first project to spill over the local authority's boundary.

Hallam Land said it was hosting three consultation events on the proposals over the next two weeks, and hoped to put an outline planning application to the city council later this year.

Clark said there was an "important principle at stake here".

"If this is granted planning permission, it would be the start of the expansion of Milton Keynes into Central Bedfordshire, and I will be calling on Central Bedfordshire Council to resist," she said.

Hallam Land said it was committed to working collaboratively with both councils.

A spokesperson for Hallam Land added: "We are committed to bringing forward an application which offers the homes, jobs and infrastructure to benefit future generations."

The government has recently rejected a fast-track devolution deal that could have involved several councils, including Central Bedfordshire and Milton Keynes.

However Clark said she remained wary of the long-term implications, if those plans return to the table and mean both councils are incorporated into a larger combined authority.

"If we find ourselves part of the Government's devolution plans with Milton Keynes, then I suspect this will only be the start," she said.

Adam Zerny, independent leader of Central Bedfordshire Council, said: "We understand the developer wants to build on land in the Milton Keynes area, and some in Central Bedfordshire and we would expect to work closely with Milton Keynes over any border issues as has been the case in the past."

Milton Keynes City Council said it would not comment due to the ongoing consultation by the developers.