New report finds Milton Keynes is one of the best places to live and work Milton Keynes is one of the top places to live and work according to a new independent report into the health of the UK’s largest towns and cities. The LSH Vitality Index (from property consultants Lambert Smith Hampton) reviews 100 […] The post The secret’s out about MK appeared first on MK Pulse.
New report finds Milton Keynes is one of the best places to live and work
Milton Keynes is one of the top places to live and work according to a new independent report into the health of the UK’s largest towns and cities.
The LSH Vitality Index (from property consultants Lambert Smith Hampton) reviews 100 towns and cities outside London by economic, lifestyle and environmental measures.
Milton Keynes is ranked number two in the Index, climbing six positions from last year.
Many of this year’s top ten towns and cities are in or close to the Oxford – MK – Cambridge Growth Corridor including Oxford, Reading, High Wycombe, and Windsor and Maidenhead (which took the top spot), putting Milton Keynes at the heart of future growth.
The Vitality Index follows Milton Keynes being named one of the UK’s top cities for high wages, innovation, and housing growth in the Cities Outlook 2025 report last month, and the city council’s announcement this week that MK has smashed its national housebuilding targets for the seventh year running.
New statue to honour Open University pioneer
Milton Keynes City Council is commissioning a new statue to be built in the city centre to celebrate Jennie Lee, the trailblazing figure who played a pivotal role in establishing The Open University.
The statue will be a lasting tribute to her vision and impact and will recognise how The Open University has transformed education for millions of people across the world.
Baroness Lee of Asheridge was a passionate politician and served as the first Minister of State for the Arts in the 1960s. As one of the driving forces behind The Open University, her determination led to an ambitious idea becoming a world-leading institution, giving people access to higher education regardless of their background.
Further information about the life of Jennie Lee can be found on The Open University website.
The announcement comes as the city marks 60 years since the government first received Jennie Lee’s groundbreaking White Paper that set out an approach for arts provision in the UK, paving the way for the eventual establishment of the Arts Council.
The city council is now inviting artists to submit initial proposals for the statue and these will help to shape a final design brief. The statue will be funded through developer contributions and will add to the growing collection of public art in the city centre. Artists interested in submitting proposals can find more details by emailing culture@milton-keynes.gov.uk.
Major regeneration work is in full swing
Milton Keynes City Council’s major regeneration project in Bletchley has reached a new milestone with all roof tiles of the new buildings now in place. The first new homes are set to be handed over to the city council later this spring.
The construction work is being led by developer GRAHAM. Work started last year and almost 200 new homes will be built in the first phase on the Lakes Estate in Bletchley, along with a new park, and community space. Cabinet Member for Housing, Cllr Ed Hume visited the site to see the progress first-hand.
The modern, energy-efficient homes will provide Serpentine Court residents and other local families waiting for a council home with high-quality housing. The plans are aimed at renewing the Lakes Estate, giving local people a greater sense of belonging and pride in their area.
The project has been shaped by years of collaboration with the local community, who helped design plans that were approved in 2022. Some improvements have already been made, including four new play parks and courtyard upgrades.
The project is being funded by an investment from the city council of almost £70m, topped up by a grant of just under £15m from Homes England.
Pete Marland Leader of Milton Keynes City Council
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