Media centre

Notes to editors

Eco-friendly

Network Rail is aiming to achieve a BREEAM (2008) Excellent rating for the centre. The proposed development will take advantage of a range of passive measures designed to regulate temperature and reduce energy use, including an optimised orientation, a heavyweight exposed structure, narrow floor plans, high soffits and natural ventilation, which are all complemented by very high efficiency, low carbon systems.

Other environmental features include extensive living roofs that will greatly enhance and encourage diverse habitats for flora and fauna in the centre of Milton Keynes, and sizable rainwater harvesting systems which will be used to flush toilets and irrigate the landscaping.

Public consultation

Almost 900 people attended a series of consultation events held in Milton Keynes in September 2009 – a healthy participation rate and good cross-section of the local community. People were only counted as a participant if they stopped to speak to an exhibitor. Hundreds more leaflets were given out. 

In addition there were 960 visits to the consultation website over the course of the consultation. The consultation period was open for six weeks following the exhibition, allowing people to submit comments via email until Friday 16 October 2009.

The comments received fell largely into five main areas:

(i) Job creation
“Brings jobs to MK, new modern design, environmentally friendly, exciting new building in MK!”

 “Just need the positive people to work there. Can I be one of them?”

(ii) Sustainability
“It is good to have Network Rail in Central Milton Keynes. Good use for the largely-unused hockey stadium. Good low energy/water use plans”
“A great major landmark project that could be a vitally effective illustration of how to be truly sustainable.”

(iii) Design detail
“Pleasing design. Thought given to efficiency. Big improvement to existing site building.”
“I like the building's futuristic yet appealing look, which is very appropriate for Central Milton Keynes and will make a good addition to the city's skyline. As an MK resident I very much welcome Network Rail's coming here and think it will be another massive boost to the growth of the city”.

(iv) Regeneration of the proposed site
“This unique building replaces a fast becoming carbuncle for the station area. Pleased to see it being put to good use”.
“Making use of a white elephant”

(v) Wider benefits for MK
“A new modern building coming to a modern town (city) away from the rat race of London”
“Very good idea. Not only jobs but the development aspect as well as putting the New City of Milton Keynes on the national map. Keep it as green as possible.”
“It’s a no brainer”

Timeline

October 2008 – Milton Keynes named as Network Rail’s preferred location for its new national centre.

April 2009 – GMW, the award-winning architects behind the redevelopment of Tower 42 (the Natwest Tower), appointed by Network Rail to design the 400,000 sq ft building.

September 2009 – First images of the national centre revealed as Network Rail carries out a series of public consultation events in Milton Keynes. Nearly 2,000 local people spoke to the project team or visited the consultation website to have their say on the plans.

October 2009 – Formal planning application submitted to Milton Keynes Council. Final submission included a number of design amendments put in place following feedback from the public during the consultation period.

December 2009 – BAM Construction awarded pre-construction services agreement by Network Rail to assist in the second stage of the design and procurement process. Also in December, demolition of the former National Hockey Stadium began.

January 2010 – Milton Keynes Council formally approves Network Rail’s plans.

Summer 2010 – Contract awarded for build.

Summer 2010 – Construction on site begins.

Autumn 2012 – Building officially opens.