Camphill Communities, Milton Keynes

Paul Basham Associates assisted Stellar Building Consultancy on behalf of Camphill Communities to support two separate mixed-use developments for two Camphill sites in Milton Keynes – Willen Estate and Michael’s Akyre. Camphill provides a working community for adults with learning difficulties.

Stellar Building Consultancy instructed Paul Basham Associates to provide the Transport Planning works required to support the submission of two separate full planning applications for the redevelopment/refurbishment of Camphill Communities at the Willen Estate off Japonica Lane and Michael’s Akyre off Sterling Close in Milton Keynes. The planning application for the Willen Estate proposed an increase in workshop, café and office floorspace, a new sports hall, 4 new visitor bedrooms and the refurbishment of the existing 57 accommodation units. The planning application for Michael’s Akyre comprises of the relocation of the existing workshops and erection of 80 rooms in addition to a community hub/café.

In the first instance, Paul Basham Associates undertook a site visit in order to gain a better understanding of the existing operation of the site and local road network. We then reviewed the development proposals feeding back on the proposed access arrangements, parking provision and servicing strategy for the site. Given the more specialised nature of the schemes the project team sought to agree the approach to parking provision and trip generation with Milton Keynes District Council prior to submitting the planning application. Two separate Transport Statements were then written to accompany the planning application which set out the existing conditions of each of the Camphill Communities followed by the proposals including access arrangements, parking provision, servicing strategy, net trip generation and a vehicle tracking exercise as well as a visibility splay assessment. 

Paul Basham Associates were delighted to hear that the Camphill schemes at the Willen Estate and Michael’s Aykre gained planning approval in March 2020 and May 2020 respectively and we are pleased to add this interesting project to our increasing number within Milton Keynes.