Make No Little Plans: the stories of the builders of Milton Keynes

Milton Keynes is now a thriving city of some 300,000 inhabitants. Yet in 1967 (before its designation as a new town) the site was largely occupied by farmers' fields.
Just how and why did this agricultural area of North Bucks get transformed into the largest and most ambitious of Britain's new towns?
This is a story of Milton Keynes' early years, told by those who were part of the Development Corporation, tasked with its planning and development.

[@nazbrit]

I was profoundly, profoundly moved by this. I rang Neil Higson about 15 years ago, to talk about the Cathedral of Trees and the Buddhist Peace Pagoda, and he was so helpful, and kind. I'm very spiritual and the area around Willen Lake and the hospice is so loaded with love. The labryinth, the Buddhist peace pagoda (the first of its kind in the Western hemisphere), St. Mary Magdalene church and the Circle of Hearts Medicine Wheel, close to the pagoda. People of MK are so lucky. You are blessed by Neil's vision and the beauty he designed and it's so amazing he was granted carte blanche and sometimes the budget to realise his vision. Of course, the planners were old hippes, with Silbury and Avebury boulevards connecting up with their namesakes in Wiltshire. And the holy thorn trees at the tree cathedral linking up with the original thorn tree in Glastonbury, which reputedly grew after Joseph of Arimathea struck his staff into the ground, and it grew flowers, which only flower at Easter and Christmas. The Queen, and now King Charles, has a sprig of these flowers on their table on Christmas Day. So, MK people, you are blessed! I miss my visits to MK, as we moved to the south west almost 5 1/2 years ago.

[@Soundslikeaplan]

Very cool. I moved here in 1981 and it was fascinating to look back and see the city as I remember it back then. Also to realise just how new the city actually was when I first lived here. And , yes… we always called it the city.. even back then !

[@jonmengham3525]

I worked for the DC from 1968 to 89. I was the 4th member of what was then the department❤ of Arcitecture and Planning Great days and a great programme!

[@nazbrit]

Hi Jon, I was wondering how Neil Higson's health is now. Is he still alive? Such a kind man..!

[@daydays12]

Is there life 'Beyond the concrete sprawl' as Tripadvisor calls it ? Why would anyone want to visit the 'concrete sprawl'?

[@drtydawg73]

thanks for posting this awesome video. its a shame not every town was like milton keynes. 😕 i moved to mk because after first visiting in 89 i fell in love with it. its such a shame its being destroyed by the government and corrupt council members. i wonder what the architects would think of whats been done to it now. 😕

[@normanchristie4524]

I arrived in 1988 with my family left in 2013, the plan was already fraying thanks largely to John Prescott. I went back recently and I am not sorry that I left.

[@daydays12]

The 'architects' were the awful car centric, commercial centred people who created the place as it is....rotting concrete everywhere.... Massive destruction of old villages and the countryside.... a profound hatred for trees and anything organic. Commerce and business and car parks that was their £££££ game.

[@drtydawg73]

@@daydays12 well youre clearly a moron and have no idea what youre talking about! a hatred for trees!?? XD there are millions more trees now than there was before the modern town was built, thats why it was called the town in the forest! every new house owner was given a voucher from the council to also get a free tree from the garden centre to plant in their gardens! as for the old buildings, they are all still there. i live in mk so i know what im talking about. also, as for your concrete comment, please do come and point out this concrete for me, as i dont see it. 🙂

[@raymerrington607]

Fond memories 1974-92

[@agnosticevolutionist3567]

I lived in cosgrove from 78 to 89 and moved to Watford i was born in Shenley hill

[@andrewwiltshire6569]

I don't think the city's architects .were bold enough.Where are the energy saving, self sufficient homes.We are finding today homes are poorly insulated.Quick to fall into disrepair ,poorly maintained,damp, mould and subject to mice and insect infestation . Milton Keynes has cost billions and all that has been achieved is the creation of sink estates.Everything is temporary.Iconic buildings like the point are considered unfit and to be demolished.The original buckinghamshire countryside looked beautiful.I think money would have been better spent on improving existing towns and cities.

[@daydays12]

Very well said. I so agree. And all those 'commercial centres'/malls now in an age of on line shopping. Car centric place ---- on the video a planner talking about 50mph major roads everywhere in MK linking up to the motorway network. I so agree... beautiful Buckinghamshire country side and all its varied wildlife destroyed for what?

[@MENSA.lady2]

Sadly MK was designed from the bottom, Downwards. Houses for the great unwashed that nowhere else wanted. The designers got there way so today MK is a modern slum. I saw the writing on the wall and left Eaglestone in 1983. One of my best decisions.

[@drtydawg73]

no, the designers and architects designed it to be a greal place to live in, which it would be... if the government hadnt filled it with people who couldnt care less about our country.

[@daydays12]

Well done you. This MK story is so sad.

[@DeanWilliamDwyer]

The very same people with their big ideas, didn't realise what the consequences of their hubris would be. We have imported the world's problems with the false illusion that diversity is king! Take a look of what we've lost. British Pathè will show all!

[@Lucas-wn3te]

11:45 drunk off his own wallet

[@YoutubeHandlesSuckBalls]

When we first moved there, every main road was covered in clumps of mud the size of a breeze blocks. You had to drive slowly and always be ready to swerve to avoid them. I always wondered why the houses in the south were so much worse than the ones in the north...