Crest Nicholson and the Milton Keynes Development Partnership have announced that work on the £117m Campbell Wharf development in Milton Keynes has commenced on site.

The residential-led mixed use scheme which includes 383 new homes, a narrowboat marina, public house, nursery and a mix of retail units is set to transform and revitalise a much-underutilised part of Central Milton Keynes.

Campbell Wharf is located on the eastern edge of Central Milton Keynes with easy access to both Milton Keynes Central Station and the M1. The Grand Union Canal which runs through Milton Keynes divides the site into two distinct areas.

Once complete the development will deliver 332 one and two-bedroom apartments and 51 three, four and five-bedroom houses. In order to meet local housing needs in the community 30% of the properties on site have been reserved for shared ownership and affordable housing.

The 8.15 ha site will also include a new marina on the Grand Union Canal, providing 111 berths, a canal-side pub, café, restaurant and a new footbridge linking the two sides of the canal.

-- Advertisement --

The new marina is expected to open in April 2019, while the first residential dwellings on site will be occupied in October 2019. The development is expected to be fully completed by 2023.

Scott Black, Managing Director at Crest Nicholson, explained: "We are pleased to have cemented our agreement with the Milton Keynes Development Partnership and look forward to working together on this significant development. Once complete the scheme will provide a new gateway from the Canal to Central Milton Keynes and deliver much needed new homes to the area.

"We will continue to work closely with the Milton Keynes Development Partnership and other stakeholders throughout the building phase."

Councillor Rob Middleton, Cabinet Member responsible for Resources and Innovation said: "As our city continues to grow, MKDP is committed to playing its part in helping to create well-designed, vibrant & affordable new communities in partnership with a range of local developers. As part of the Campbell Wharf development, MKDP and the developer Crest Nicholson will be creating 115 affordable new homes, a new 111 berth marina alongside the city's renowned Grand Union Canal, and importantly, will be contributing towards the cost of upgrading the infrastructure of our city centre.

"I'd like to extend my thanks to the many local residents who took part in the public consultation. Encouragingly, support for the Campbell Wharf development was overwhelming. The new amenities and local facilities will be a valuable asset not just for Campbell Wharf's new residents but also for the existing communities in and around the city centre too."

Matthew Green, MKDP Property Development Director said: "It is great to see this exciting project getting underway. It has been a long process to get to this point, but this flagship scheme will no doubt take shape rapidly from here, delivering a new community and amenities to Campbell Park, bringing activity and animation to the area."

(MH/CM)