The expansion of an Oxfordshire business park could boost the local economy by £10.5 million a year by the end of the decade officials believe. However, residents of nearby villages are concerned about the impact of the development and insist they have not been adequately consulted.
Construction at Milton Park has been given the go-ahead
Milton Park is a 250,000 sq. m. business park close to Abingdon with easy access to both the M4 and M40. It provides office and laboratory space along with industrial properties and warehousing to a diverse range of businesses. These include those in the healthcare, technology and publishing sectors.
The park falls within the Science Vale Enterprise Zone allowing them to apply for a Land Development Order (LDO) which allows for development over a specified period. Recently the council granted this, giving its permission for an additional 54,000 sq. m. of commercial property development on the site.
A spokesman for Milton Park told the Oxford Mail that they had worked very closely with the council to consider planning issues and the impact the development will have on the local environment, highways and nearby residential areas.
“Extensive consultation has been undertaken with statutory consultees, interest groups and parish councils as the LDO was prepared,” the spokesman said.
However, opponents of the proposal say that they were not given notice of the plan until September, leaving them very little time to raise their objections. They have since formed a campaign group to oppose the expansion of Milton Park but feel they are being forced to play catch up.
“There is particular resentment from residents about the poor consultation process.”
“It is important to take into account the knock on effect; more jobs means more people and more traffic, and this area needs more infrastructure,” a group leader said.
In a related story, it has been reported that the owner of Chelsea Football Club, Roman Abramovich, has purchased a stake in a company based at Milton Park. The Russian billionaire has invested £43 million into Oxford Catalysts which specialises in alternative fuels.
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