Situated on two key transport routes, between London and Cambridge and Oxford, and at the junction of the River Great Ouse and Ouzel, it is no surprise that Newport Pagnell is rich in history. Part of that history includes the former Police Station old magistrates court and cell blocks. The station house and magistrates complex are incredibly intact, retaining all aspects of their functions and services, including historic details from each.
The site, which included the former Police Station building – including the former magistrates court, cell blocks, and stables (converted to garages) – five empty police houses and large areas of hardstanding, had been vacant for about three years due to police services being relocated. It was allocated in the development plan (Local and Neighbourhood Plan) for approximately 14 dwellings and the Neighbourhood Plan identified the former Police Station building as a local heritage asset
The site is conveniently located immediately adjacent to the town centre with easy access to its range of services and facilities. Churchill Retirement Living submitted a proposal for the redevelopment of the site including the demolition of the five existing police houses to form 45 retirement living apartments, 3 retirement living cottages, with associated communal facilities, parking and landscaping along with the conversion of the former Police Station magistrates court and cell blocks for a community use (class F2(b)). During the preparation of the proposals it was negotiated for the former Police Station building to be transferred to the Town Council so that it could relocate its offices at the site which offered a convenient location, a larger building which it could invest in as a local heritage custodian, and on-site parking for the Town Council to accommodate all of its functions. The application was refused by the Local Planning Authority, Milton Keynes City Council and Churchill Retirement Living submitted an appeal which would be dealt with through the public inquiry appeal procedure. The Town Council requested to take part in the appeal as a Rule 6 party supporting the proposal for the redevelopment of the site overall, but most notably the community use of the former Police Station magistrates court and cell blocks.
Following the submission of evidence to the Inquiry of the Town Council’s willingness to accept the transfer of the former Police Station to create a community building, the Local Planning Authority withdrew its reason for refusal on this matter before the Inquiry. During the Inquiry, the Local Planning Authority withdrew two other reasons for refusal relating to the scheme’s compliance with policies in the made Neighbourhood Plan and flood risk incompatibility. The remaining matters related to whether internal changes and configuration of the former Police Station should accord with specific approved plans and a viability review mechanism.
The appeal was allowed with the inspector finding that a condition requiring adherence to a plan detailing works which were not operational development would not be reasonable or enforceable and thatthe Town Council’s evidence had provided sufficient assurance that the heritage interest of the building will be maintained as a community building in the control of the Town Council and no condition was therefore required.
We supported the Town Council in taking part in the public inquiry appeal procedure as a Rule 6 party. Our role was to take the strain off busy Town Council staff and members by dealing with the administration and management of the case on its behalf, as well as acting as the Town Council’s expert planning witness, instructing counsel, liaising with all parties of the appeal on relevant matters to the case, and attending the Inquiry itself representing the Town Council’s interests. We also assisted in identifying where the Town Council should focus its resources to make the most difference to the outcome of the case advising on the nature and content of the evidence, submissions and conduct at the Inquiry.
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