Regeneration of Milton Keynes housing estate approved

The troubled Serpentine Court is to be demolished as part of major regeneration plans

The major redevelopment of a 1960s housing estate could begin in January.

Milton Keynes City Council has approved plans for nearly 200 new homes at the Lakes in Bletchley, which also include a nursery and community centre.

The authority will borrow £83m to fund the development and it is hoped residents will move in over the next two years.

Serpentine Court on the estate, which has suffered from anti-social behaviour, is to be demolished.

The crumbling estate has suffered from anti-social behaviour, drug and alcohol issues

Pauline Wright lives in a one-bedroom flat there, which she claims has had many problems, including damp.

She said she "jumped for joy and had a little tipple" upon hearing the redevelopment would be going ahead.

"I can't wait for the day I can watch my old flat being bulldozed," she added.

"I suffered with arthritis of the back and now the knees, so a new flat with a ramp would make my hip better".

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Joanna was moved out of Serpentine Court and into temporary accommodation a month ago because her roof was leaking, leaving her without electricity.

"If I could have a nice house, somewhere to put my kids, somewhere to live in, then I'd maybe not move again, so that would be good news," she said.

Chair of the Lakes Estate Residents Association Mariee Wymer, who lived in Serpentine Court for a decade, told BBC Three Counties Radio: "These flats were only built for temporary accommodation but have been lived in now for over 50 years.

"They've now deteriorated and the mould and stuff in the flats is just not acceptable for residents to be living in."

Serpentine Court as it looked in 1975

Labour cabinet member for adults, housing and healthy communities, Emily Darlington, said: "Regeneration is not just about building new homes.

"We're also making investments into the play areas and activities available. We are working with people to create a positive environment to raise their families."

The Lakes and Fullers Slade were among seven areas in Milton Keynes included as part of a £1bn regeneration scheme launched in 2017.

It was later scaled back, with the remaining council estate stock in the city earmarked for upgrades instead.