Tower blocks with 285 flats to be built on car park

The tower block will be the highest building in the area

Plans to build 285 rental flats on the site of the disused multi-storey car park have been approved.

Developer Packaged Living has been granted permission to build three buildings, the highest of which is a 25-storey tower block, on land next to Milton Keynes Theatre.

Campbell Park View will also have ground floor parking and first floor leisure facilities, which the developer suggested could include restaurants, wine bars and a cinema.

Milton Keynes City Council backed the proposals after planning officers previously said the project "provides a key opportunity for the redevelopment and effective use of previously developed land".

The multi-story theatre car park closed in 2020

The officer's report added: "Whilst very slight harm has been identified to the setting of Campbell Park, a designated heritage asset, this harm is considered to be clearly outweighed by the social and economic benefits of the scheme."

Of the homes built, 136 will be one-bed flats, another 136 will be two-bed flats and 13 dwellings will be three-bed flats.

There are not many tall buildings in central Milton Keynes, and the closest in height is the 14-storey Hotel LaTour, north of the site.

Some concerns were raised by Historic England and it said the proposal could impact the open skyline near Campbell Park. It suggested a smaller building for the site.

However, planning officers said the Milton Keynes City Plan indicates buildings between 15 to 30 storeys would be appropriate in that location.

The ground floor and fist floor of the development will have leisure facilities

Packaged Living said the scheme would also include "extensive public realm enhancements to improve connectivity and movement from the centre of Milton Keynes to Campbell Park".

Improvements to the area would include new seating, green planting, and better pedestrian connections.

Adam Sciberras, from Milton Keynes Development Partnership, said the development could have a positive impact on the area.

He said: “Developments like Campbell Park View will play an important role in making Central Milton Keynes a vibrant and sustainable city centre, enhancing the surrounding built environment and boosting our already thriving culture."