Council officers recommend Primark plans be refused

Milton Keynes' market traders had voiced concerns about the proposed development

Plans to move a market in Milton Keynes to make way for a new Primark store have been recommended for refusal.

The owners of thecentre:mk shopping centre have submitted plans to knock down the Secklow Gate bridge as part of a £40m extension.

They say the development, including a new Primark, would benefit the Grade II listed shopping centre.

Council officers have recommended planning permission is refused when Milton Keynes Council meets next week.

Traders at the market, which is currently underneath the bridge, had voiced objections to the plans and said the proposed site they would move to was too small.

English Heritage had also raised concerns about the impact on the architectural qualities of the building.

Thecentre:mk was built in the 1970s and has more than 230 stores.

It is jointly owned by UK property management companies Hermes Property Asset Management and Prudential Property Investment Managers, who were due to finance the project.

The planning application to extend the shopping centre by 90,000 sq ft was submitted to Milton Keynes Council in August.

The council's development control committee is meeting on 21 February.