Plan for Bletchley Regeneration Gets the Green Light

11.00.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 18th Oct 2007

Ambitious plans to transform the heart of Bletchley, taking it into the 21st century, have been given the go-ahead by councillors.

A state-of-the-art new leisure centre, scores of new homes (30 per cent of which will be shared ownership or for rent) and a modern multi-storey car park have been given the thumbs-up by Milton Keynes Council's Development Control Committee. The multi-million pound project, in and around Princes Way in Bletchley, is being developed in partnership with SDC Construction.

Liberal Democrat councillor Euan Henderson, cabinet member responsible for leisure, said: "This is fantastic news and will make a real difference to people living not just in Bletchley, but throughout Milton Keynes.

"The original leisure centre, with its distinctive pyramid design, was built way back in 1971. Its multi-storey car park, with its unusual 'snake' walkway design, was demolished in 1998 and the rubble was recycled and used in road construction.

"The original leisure centre was a great facility in its day, but it is now time to move on. One the main improvements of the new centre will be the swimming pool, which will include ultra-modern easy access for people with disabilities."

The new leisure centre and associated works will cost around £20 million.