Milton Park to review its Local Development Order

Milton Park and its local authority are to review its Local Development Order (LDO) to help attract more sustainable investment.

Vale of White Horse District Council and Milton Park owner MEPC have teamed up to try to bring the park into line with the council’s climate emergency and support its 2040 Vision.

The LDO, (which enables defined kinds of development to be fast-tracked through the planning process) was originally adopted in December 2012 and runs to 2027.

It has brought forward 14 buildings including laboratory, office, technology space and a hotel, totalling around 550,000 sq ft, and created around 1,000 new jobs.

It has also helped attract investment into sustainable travel initiatives.

Government changes to planning use classes will be considered in the review alongside work to align the council’s Local and Corporate Plans with the park’s 2040 Vision, before a public consultation later in the year. The council will then consider the revised LDO’s adoption.

Cllr Debby Hallett, cabinet member for corporate services and transformation, said: “The Milton Park LDO is an important part of our Science Vale strategy to provide an attractive environment for start-up businesses to grow and businesses looking to relocate – helping to create new jobs in science and technology, and other sectors.

“The proposed modifications will be part of a public consultation later this year and, once considered and agreed by the council, will have the potential to build on our aims to support local communities and tackle the climate emergency.”

Philip Campbell, MEPC commercial director, Milton Park, said: “We welcome the Vale of White Horse’s positive and proactive approach. Their pioneering vision has enabled the park to flourish, resulting in investment that has led us to being able to respond to the immediate demand from businesses to build new office and lab space and create jobs and provide sustainable travel modes, ensuring that we continue to contribute to the local and national economy.

“Following extensive stakeholder consultation, last year we adopted our 2040 Vision. Our vision sets out our masterplan for sustainable growth and outlines how we will continue to provide a long-term home for organisations whatever their size or stage of growth, from spin-outs to global research companies.

“We look forward to working with the council and engaging with all stakeholders from the business community to local residents, as public consultation progresses.”

MEPC will provide planning support and project management to the council through planning consultant Pro Vision.

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