Eligibility to Develop a CRS

What are the eligibility criteria for developing a site?

Applicants must show that their organisation is eligible to develop a Community Reserve Site and that their project would be an appropriate development of the plot.

Applications must show:

• that your organisation is not-for-profit and a registered charity or local authority group;
• that your proposed project will be of benefit to the Milton Keynes community;
• that your organisation has an appropriate plan for sustainability and capital funding, and a business plan that encompasses the proposed project;
• that you can demonstrate the capacity to run a large-scale building project without comprising the core charitable activities of your organisation.

Community Reserve Sites CANNOT be:

• developed by an individual, or by a profit-making company;
• used for housing or residential buildings (even if charitable in nature);
• used for projects or activities that will not directly benefit the people of Milton Keynes.

Are sites freehold or leasehold?

Sites will usually be disposed of on a long lease (125 year in the first instance). This is to protect the site for the benefit of the community in perpetuity. However, in exceptional circumstances, the freehold of a Community Reserve Site will be considered using relevant and testable evidence.

How much would a group pay for a site?

In the case of an enquiry an indicative valuation will be given, as the site will be valued at current residential land values and offered for disposal at not less than one quarter of that value. A site may be reserved for a maximum of 2 years at any one time, on payment of a valuation fee and a deposit of £2,000 per annum. In such cases, the valuation will be held for the period of the reservation. A formal valuation will be given on formal reservation of the site after the application process is completed.

There will be no automatic right to renew a reservation if there has been no progress in the project over the initial 2 years, and an application to renew will be considered by MK Community Properties Ltd, in the light of all prevailing circumstances. In the event of a renewal being agreed, it will be on the basis of a fresh valuation at current residential land values. A further cash deposit will be required and the further reservation period may be for less than 2 years.

In the event of the enquirer not proceeding for any reason, the deposit will be forfeited. In the event of the enquirer proceeding to completion, the deposit paid will be deducted from the agreed financial consideration.

The financial consideration agreed would be paid in a lump sum on agreement of the lease, or in equal instalments over no longer than a 10-year period. The final amount would contain an element to allow for the loss of interest had the financial consideration been paid in a lump sum.

Groups that make a successful application for a site will be required to appoint a solicitor to represent them through the process and advise them on all the legal aspects.

Would the development of the site be monitored?

If a group makes a successful application for a site, the development will be monitored to ensure that the build and subsequent service delivery is in line with the objectives of the Community Reserve Site programme. During the build, members of the grants staff will be in touch on a 6-monthly basis to monitor progress of the development and to report to our Property Board.

6 months following the opening of the new facility, the Grants Director and one of our Property Company Directors will undertake a visit to the site to assess issues such as community benefit, service delivery and sustainability, against the original proposals. This information will assist us with the ongoing disposal of the sites and we aim to have an ongoing relationship with groups that have developed sites for ongoing community benefit.

Who can we contact for more information?

In the first instance please contact the grants team at the Foundation on 01908 690276 or email information@mkcommunityfoundation.co.uk. Forms and further information sheets can be downloaded from our Forms and Guidelines page.