English Heritage object to Primark's Milton Keynes plan

A leading conservation group has added its weight against proposals to demolish part of Milton Keynes Shopping Centre, a Grade II listed building.

English Heritage has written to the council's planning department over the scheme to knock down the Secklow Gate bridge and build a new Primark store.

The group said it would cause substantial harm to the architectural qualities of the building.

The council said the plans would be considered in the new year.

English Heritage is consulted whenever plans involve a listed building.

'Far less attractive'

A strongly worded objection to the council said the plans are only of benefit to Primark rather than the town as a whole.

English Heritage believes the proposal would cause unjustifiable architectural harm to the 1970s building which was listed in 2010.

The CentreMK, owners of the building, believe the development is the only way to ensure Milton Keynes's place as an attractive retail centre for the region.

A local protest group said the £40m development plan would make Milton Keynes "far less attractive" and have handed in the 1,212th objection letter to the council.

A planning application was submitted to Milton Keynes Council in August.