Milton Keynes to double in size

Artist's impression of proposals for Campbell Park, Milton Keynes

Milton Keynes could nearly double in size under one of the largest urban expansion plans for 50 years.

The plans for eastern England could see Milton Keynes become bigger than Nottingham and Leicester and nearly as large as Liverpool.

The proposals could also see major expansion in Upton, in Northampton.

English Partnerships and Milton Keynes Council have announced proposals for 70,000 new homes in the town over the next 20 years.

The town's population is likely to rise from 210,000 to nearly 400,000.

Public consultation on the expansion plans starts in January.

An artist's impression of proposals for Campbell Park in Milton Keynes has already been drawn up.

Milton Keynes has been earmarked by the government as a major focus for expansion.

'Building communities'

Milton Keynes Council and English Partnerships are forming a committee to push through the plans.

The Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) has expressed concern at the plans.

Robin Thompson, chairman of CPRE Buckinghamshire, told BBC News Online on Tuesday evening: "Residents of Milton Keynes are very concerned about the loss of green spaces.

"We are also really concerned about villages near Milton Keynes being swallowed up in the urban sprawl."

A spokeswoman for English Partnerships said the environment, facilities and services enjoyed by the people of Milton Keynes would be maintained.

Isobel Wilson, leader of Milton Keynes Council, said: "A strong level of representation by Milton Keynes Council and local partners on the committee will ensure that sufficient focus is placed on building communities in Milton Keynes and not just putting up a lot of new housing estates."

About 1,800 hectares is expected to be needed for the main area of development.

One of the last major urban expansions in the UK took place at the end of the 1940s with the development of 30 new towns.