'Community Reserve Sites’ (CRSs) refer to the plots of land scattered throughout Milton Keynes that were gifted to the Milton Keynes Community Foundation by the Milton Keynes Development Corporation. The Foundation's property company, MK Community Properties Ltd, manages the sites with a view to the long-term development of the area, ensuring that the sites are used appropriately to benefit the local community, and that the current and future needs of the voluntary sector are met. All surpluses from MK Community Properties Ltd are passed to the Foundation to support grant making to the voluntary and community sector.
MK Community Properties currently owns 45 CRSs set aside for community use, that can be purchased and developed by not-for-profit organisations, local authority groups or charities working for the benefit of the people of Milton Keynes. Groups may be eligible to purchase a CRS at not less than 25% of the market rate for land, provided that they can show that their development would benefit the local community i.e. charitable use or other non-commercial or non-residential use.
Locations of Community Reserve Sites currently available for development can be found here and a full list of Community Reserve Sites is available for download here.
Many Community Reserve Sites are as yet undeveloped plots. MK Community Properties ensure that the plots are kept in a reasonable state of repair until purchased by a suitable non-profit group. Once a group has successfully applied to purchase a site from MK Community Properties, the group will have to go through the usual planning application procedures for the building itself.
Possible developments of a Community Reserve Site include the headquarters of a charity, community centres, faith-based buildings that run community activities, buildings that are used for community activities such as scouts and guides, and buildings providing services and activities for people with disabilities or older people.
If you would like to see how a Community Reserve Site can be developed, please take a look at our case studies below:
Spinal Injuries Association - SIA House
St Francis' Children's Society - Collis House
If you have any queries about the current or future development of a Community Reserve Site in your neighbourhood please contact the Grants Team on 01908 690276 or e-mail information@mkcommunityfoundation.co.uk