MKDP recently advised Milton Keynes City Council via the Town Deal Board on the acquisition of the former Sainsbury’s site in Bletchley which is currently derelict and subject to vandalism.

MKDP already owns the adjacent Brunel Centre and the old police and fire station site nearby both of which will be fundamental parts of ambitious community-led regeneration plans.

Buying the old supermarket site will allow the City Council more control over how regeneration of the historic town centre takes place while working with the local Bletchley and Fenny Stratford Towns Deal Board, the two local town and parish councils, and resident groups. Funds to buy the site has been provided by the Town’s Deal Fund and will not impact investment on other projects or services in the city.

MKDP Property Development Director Matthew Green said: “Assisting the City Council to achieve its regeneration ambitions is a key part of MKDP’s remit and this deal is fundamental to what is planned for Bletchley’s future.”

Cllr Pete Marland, Leader of Milton Keynes City Council, said: “I’m really pleased that the City Council has been able to buy the old Sainsbury’s building in Bletchley Town Centre. It’s currently a dilapidated eyesore but more importantly it means that because we also own the Brunel Centre, we now have a lot more local control over how we move forward with community-led regeneration of the historic town centre.

“Regeneration takes time, but we are putting all the pieces in place to move forward with some ambitious schemes that will revitalise the area and bring the town centre back to its former glory. We will act as quickly as possible to get rid of the current building that attracts anti-social behaviour and vandalism while cutting one side of the town centre off from the train station. We can’t turn back the clock, but we can work with the community to make sure that our plans deliver the change people want to see and that retain the unique and proud history of the town.