Labour Councillor Nigel Long has persuaded a local town council to try and buy two open spaces in West Bletchley that have been put up for sale by private owners.

Two areas of much valued open space in West Bletchley have recently been put up for auction by their owner, leaving residents concerned that they may be purchased by developers. The two spaces on Melrose Avenue and Cheney’s Walk in Bletchley are listed as parks in the Neighbourhood Plan and Labour Councillors are keen to ensure they remain as such.

The land is private, but some residents had been concerned it was owned by Milton Keynes Council, however both spaces are owned by companies outside Milton Keynes and MK Council has confirmed it doesn’t own either site.

To protect these spaces from the risk of being purchased by developers for profit, Labour Councillor Nigel Long is working with West Bletchley Parish Council to encourage them to consider purchasing the land to retain their status as parks. The Parish Council held a special meeting on Tuesday 14^th July where they voted unanimously to support for Councillor Long’s proposal to try to buy the sites, although this is subject to the way the auction goes.

Councillor Long said: “I believe it is outrageous that these open spaces are being sold at auction. Whilst one site is small but lovely; the Cheney’s Walk site is substantial. It was identified as a local park in the Neighbourhood Plan. It is also wrong that the local council, councillors and the wider community were not consulted by the owner on the sale of the site.” 

He continued: “I am pleased that Labour-led West Bletchley Parish Council agreed to try and buy both sites at auction. It has also agreed that if our bids are not successful the parish council will look at a range of other measures to try and secure the sites and stop any development on them.”