1. Why are we doing regeneration?

Regeneration has 3 strands of work; People, Place and Prosperity.

People:

  • Some people need help to build skills and confidence.
  • Some people need help improving their mental and physical health.

Place:

  • Milton Keynes Council cannot afford to maintain the council homes in Serpentine Court.
  • Some residents are paying significantly more to heat their homes than other parts of Milton Keynes.

Prosperity:

  • Some residents need support in finding a job and improving their skills.
  1. What are the aims of regeneration?
  • To empower people to take ownership of their future.
  • To ensure that people’s surroundings make their lives better.
  • To remove barriers between people and jobs, so that ambitions can be realised.
  1. How long will it all take?
  • September 2017: Events to meet those living and working in Serpentine Court.
  • Autumn 2018: Plan completed and submitted to MK Council to gain outline planning permission.
  • 2019: Physical work will starts and will last for several years.

Meet Anne Bircham

Anne is available every week at Spotlight:

  • Wednesday 10am-2pm
  • Thursdays 10am-2pm

Email:

Phone: 07702899615

Frequently Asked Questions

Serpentine Court

September2017

  1. What is going to happen in Serpentine Court?

Over the next year, we will develop a regeneration plan that addresses key issues. We want you to be involved in helping create that plan. From September we will run workshops and hold events with you. We want to know what is important to you and what you would like to see happen.

  1. Why are you only looking at Serpentine Court?

The council owned homes, and the external and communal spaces in Serpentine Court, are in need of significant investment, refurbishment or replacement. This is largely due to the age of the properties, how they were built and how they have been maintained.

Over the last 5 years, most of the council owned homes across the Lakes Estate have had significant investment, with new cladding, insulation, windows and doors fitted. These homes, therefore, do not have the same investment requirements as homes in Serpentine Court.

  1. Are you going to demolish Serpentine Court?

We do not know the scale of the work yet. The investment will be focussing on refurbishment and modernisation, and whilst there may be some demolition, this will only take place after consultation and discussion with residents.

  1. What will happen to the rest of the Lakes Estate?

We will work with residents and business owners in Serpentine Court as a priority, but we will also speak to residents across the Lakes Estate, as there are areas of the estate that may be suitable for development, identified in the Neighbourhood Plan.

  1. How does this link to the Neighbourhood Plan?

The Lakes Neighbourhood Plan that was previously voted on by Lakes Estate residents in September 2015, outlined one key priority, which was the redevelopment of Serpentine Court. The Neighbourhood Plan now forms part of Milton Keynes Council planning policy and so YourMK will work within its guidelines when developing plans for the area.

  1. How will regeneration be funded?

There are a range of options:

  • Sale of new private properties
  • Housing Revenue Account
  • Private Finance
  • Council borrowing
  • Institutional investors
  1. Does YourMK have a plan drawn up?

No. HTA are the architects that have been brought in to create a plan together with residents. The plan needs to be affordable, but there is flexibility in what it looks like. This will be created over a year, with resident input.

  1. Will people who own businesses or work in the area be included in the consultation?

Yes. There are several businesses in Serpentine Court and we are speaking to them about how this might affect them, in order to make sure the plan developed takes their ideas and concerns in to account.

  1. What independent advice will be available for residents and businesses?

Every regeneration programme has an Independent Advisor. Independent Advisors provide one on one support and advice for residents and businesses, focussing on how regeneration affects them. They also work with residents and resident groups to involve them in decision making, set standards and agree how they would like to be engaged with.

  1. How will the Independent Advisor be chosen?

YourMK will select a shortlist of organisations that provide independent advice to residents during the regeneration process. Residents can nominate organisations to this shortlist. Residents will be given the opportunity to meet each of these organisations and choose their preferred company via a vote.