The Brunel Centre, once a bustling shopping hub in Bletchley, is on the brink of a significant transformation. According to a report by the Milton Keynes Citizen, there are plans to convert the shopping centre and the adjacent large supermarket building into a vast mixed-use housing development.

The Milton Keynes City Council made an announcement on Monday, giving residents the opportunity to voice their opinions on the future of the Brunel Shopping Centre and the nearby former Sainsbury’s site. However, the Citizen has discovered an official draft plan, which is expected to be approved by the council soon, detailing these intentions.

The preferred choice for the site, which covers an area of 6.4 acres, is to establish a “well-designed, mixed-use, high-density development” that includes housing. This area includes the Brunel Centre, owned by the Milton Keynes Development Partnership (MKDP), the former Sainsbury’s store and its parking lot, Stanier Square, and the recently shut down Wilko store.

The draft further mentions, “The site’s redevelopment will result in a significant investment in the town centre. Along with the Bletchley Town Deal, it will play a pivotal role in the transformative regeneration of Central Bletchley. This will leverage the enhanced connectivity of Bletchley town centre to Oxford and Cambridge, following the completion of the relevant sections of the EastWest railway line.”

The redevelopment might also feature office spaces, new retail outlets, and leisure amenities. The draft suggests potential leisure activities like cinemas, restaurants, bars, nightclubs, fitness centres, and more.

The former Sainsbury’s store, now owned by the council, is slated for urgent demolition due to the presence of asbestos-containing materials, which have been disturbed by vandalism.

The Brunel Centre, constructed in the 1970s, was envisioned to be an iconic urban structure. However, the draft plan candidly mentions that the result hasn’t been very successful, comparing it unfavourably to Central MK’s shopping centre.

This redevelopment is one of several initiatives in the pipeline for Bletchley, which is set to witness substantial changes backed by both public and private investments. The town will also benefit from the East West Rail connection to Oxford.

Additionally, new housing projects are in the works, including the construction of mini tower blocks comprising 250 flats at the former fire station site, another property owned by MKDP.

Pete Marland, the Council leader, expressed his optimism about the project, stating, “This is another positive step forward as we create new and better infrastructure and facilities for Bletchley and Fenny Stratford. We aim to involve the community throughout the process. By collaborating, we envision a brighter future for Bletchley and Fenny Stratford.”