Bank House, 171 Midsummer Boulevard
A modern future
for Bank House,
Midsummer Boulevard, Central Milton Keynes
Illustration of the residents' rooftop amenity area
Introduction
Following the public consultation last September on the PLATFORM_ plans for Bank House, we have revised the proposals to take on board comments from residents, local business, local groups and the Council.
Bank House today
Bank House is located along Central Milton’s Keynes’ central spine, Midsummer Boulevard, roughly 7 minutes walking distance from the Milton Keynes railway station.
The building fronts onto Bouverie Square to the north, a valuable, albeit underused pocket of green space containing quality mature trees.
To the east are two food and beverage offerings, the Olive Tree Turkish Mediterranean Restaurant and Weatherspoon’s public house.
The existing and forthcoming Santander buildings sit directly adjacent to the west.
The Hub Milton Keynes, The Centre:MK and Campbell Park are all accessible within a 5, 10 and 20 minute walk respectively, with regular buses servicing the outer districts.
Image of Bank House today
Image of Bank House today
Santander cycle and Lime Scooter hire points can also be found in close proximity to the Bank House site.
At present on the site stands a three-storey stone clad office building. Despite being refurbished and renovated a number of times over recent years, the building remains only partially let, due to inefficient floorplates that are not conducive and/or adaptable to the changes in modern working practices seen in recent years.
The existing Bank House building has a colonnade that wraps around the whole building at ground and partially at first floor level.
Due to the existing levels of the building the colonnade is currently presented with an awkward relationship with the public realm around it.
Site location
Proposals
The revised PLATFORM_ proposals involve the redevelopment of the site to provide:
Around 355 high quality residential apartments, including 110 affordable apartments at 31%, in line with Council policy
The affordable apartments will be distributed evenly throughout the building in a tenure-blind arrangement, with equal access to amenities
Additional residential amenity provision including roof terraces, gym, cinema room (lounge) and co-working space
A ground floor commercial unit of around 4,000sqft
High architectural quality reflecting the modernist heritage of Milton Keynes
High sustainability credentials
Dedicated basement car parking and cycle parking
Illustration of the residential entrance to the building from Bouverie Square
Energy and Sustainability Credentials
Low carbon and net zero ready energy provision through ground and/or air source heat pump technology. Renewable energy generation will be through solar photovoltaics.
In response to Milton Keynes Policy SC1 Sustainable Construction, Bank House is ensuring recycled and sustainable materials are considered by default wherever feasible.
Guidance from Whole Life Carbon experts, such as the UK Green Building Council will help frame aspects of the design, such as the low glazing ratio which will assist in minimising embodied carbon, alongside reducing the occurrence of overheating which contributes to operational carbon emissions through cooling.
Sustainability principles
Microclimate
Glazing / Daylight
Ventilation Strategy
Form Factor
Fabric Performance
Thermal Bridges
Water Efficiency
Low Flow Fittings
Air Source Heat Pumps
Heat Recovery
LED Light Fittings
Metering / Controls
Solar Photovoltaics
Biodiversity Net Gain
Electrical Vehicle Charging Points
Cycle Charging Points
Illustration of the proposed development looking from the south-west along Midsummer Boulevard
Benefits
Timeline
Have your say
Before we submit a planning application to Milton Keynes Council, we would like to hear the views of local residents, community groups and businesses.
Public Exhibitions
We have arranged two public exhibitions at Bank House, 171 Midsummer Boulevard, MK9 1EB, on
-
Wednesday 18th January 2023 –
12noon – 6.00pm -
Thursday 19th January 2022 –
12noon – 6.00pm
If you are unable to attend our exhibition you can download a copy of the exhibition boards here (12mb).
Website
Our project website will go live on 18th January 2023 where you can see the proposals and let us know your comments. The website is at bankhouseplans.com
We very much look forward to hearing your views at the exhibitions or through the project website.
In the meantime, if you would like further details of have any questions, please contact us at bankhouse@quatro-pr.co.uk
Comments
About us
PLATFORM_ was established in 2016 and is now a leading specialist UK developer and manager of residential Built-to-Rent accommodation.
PLATFORM_ focuses on city-centre purpose-built developments that we are involved for the long-term, giving us a vested interest in developing high-quality homes that last.
PLATFORM_ currently has 5 residential developments in Bedford, Bracknell, Crawley, Exeter and Stevenage, containing 600+ apartments, with 5 more development sites in progress providing 2,500+ new units.
