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22 Phonebox Magazine | September 2025Newport Pagnell Mayor%u2019s UpdateNewport Pagnell Councillor CornerNewport Pagnell South FOCUS Team, Cllrs Jane & Andy Carr, Tony OyakhireTickford Fields: New Homes for Newport PagnellThis site, accessed off the North Crawley Road, Newport Pagnell, was identifi ed as building land over 20 years ago, but many will not recall that in May 2016, residents of Newport Pagnell were asked in a referendum to vote on the development of Tickford Fields for new housing. With the fall in young families in our town, pupil numbers at our local primary schools are dropping, putting our local schools at risk. The reduced number of young people also impacts the town%u2019s vibrance and sustainability, so to see it thrive, we need to attract more families, but they all need homes, which has been a key driver for the Tickford Field development.Back in 2016, prior to the vote, there were a number of consultation sessions (including a weekend open event at the old Mead Hall), resulting in an overwhelmingly positive vote. The site, which will include a new primary school, recreation areas, medical space and shops, will also off er a range of new homes, with various incentives for new buyers, but also homes for social rent, all attractive to young families.%u00a0Recently, the site took another step forward with the chosen developer, Vistry, preparing detailed plans for approval. Members of our team attended a recent meeting with Vistry to hear about the proposals. Work will start in the new year with the road network to enter the site, which we are told is not expected to cause the same level of disruption as we have seen, which will be some relief to those living close to the site. However, we will be keeping an eye on progress and updating you.%u00a0One good bit of news there will be no direct access to the new estate via Morello Way as previously expected. This would have made Morello Way a main thoroughfare, which seemed unnecessary to us, and certainly residents did not want to support it. Harben House: Housing Assessment CentreSeveral residents have contacted us recently regarding anti-social behaviour around Harben House. We felt it important to clarify a few points, as there seems to be some misunderstanding. The City Council has a lease on the whole building for fi ve years, to use the site as a homeless centre where Flags have been in the media recently, so I am starting with a few words about that this month.The Christmas light volunteers put up St George%u2019s cross fl ags in April and Union fl ags during the rest of the year, paid for by the town council. These brilliantly decorate our High Street area. Switch on day is Saturday, 29th November this year %u2013 don%u2019t miss it!During the football European Cup my house had four St George fl ags outside to show our support for Leah Williamson OBE and the rest of the Lionesses, and what a joy it was to then be with 800 other local England fans, including the Mayor of MK and our local MP, at the FanZone provided by Newport Pagnell Town football club to watch the fi nal! Thank you, SWANS, let%u2019s do it again.I believe that just as in Scotland or Wales, seeing a national fl ag should be a positive sign of our civil society. We should all be proud of our nation, without ever becoming nationalists, and I hope the examples above are always seen in the positive way they are intended.Open RoadsThe A509 should now be open to Junction 14, albeit slightly changed. I don%u2019t know how many extra hours and extra vehicle mileage it has cost townsfolk, nor how much trade has been lost to local businesses, but I know the total compensation paid to them was zero. In a few months, the Willen Road improvements should also be completed, and I%u2019d love to say that all we have to face now is years of building off of those main routes; however, that isn%u2019t the case.%u00a0 At some point a new junction will be needed on the Chicheley Hill bypass to connect the Eastern relief road, which I assume will then become the new A509. Watch this space for updates.guests can get direct advice, support and a place to live whilst their housing needs are assessed and alternative accommodation found. The guests at Harben House are not illegal immigrants; they are mostly homeless local families and people who have been deemed as requiring temporary housing by Milton Keynes City Council. However, some guests have been reported for smoking drugs in the vicinity and causing a nuisance. We are advised that if there are any local concerns, these should be reported to the housing team at Milton Keynes City Council on 01908 691691 or, if deemed criminal activity, to call the police. Litter Pick Dates: Our next community litter pick, and last one for this year, will be on 25th October %u2013 meet at Station Road Car Park at 1.00pm. Families are welcome, especially as this will be half-term. Councillor Surgery: Our next councillor%u2019s surgeries will be on 25th October and 22nd November, both from 10am to 11.30am, at the Mead Centre, Newport Pagnell, to coincide with the Repair Shop. You can contact the Focus team by emailing newportsouthlibdems@gmail.com or phoning 01908 216366. Follow us on Facebook %u2013 Newport Pagnell South Ward. 200 Club Winners: July 2025 %u2013 1st Ms Briggs, 2nd Mr Winton.Flying the Flag for Newport PagnellLet me know what you thinkPhonebox readers with any comments about Newport Pagnell can contact me at pauldaymk@outlook.com. I am also on social media @pauldayMK on Facebook.