Urban Village Group has received planning permission to convert the Westminster House in Milton Keynes into private rental flats. Consequently, the Birmingham-based developer will begin work on the estimated £30 million conversion of the former AGF House, now known as Westminster House, on Avebury Boulevard in the first half of 2023. Milton Keynes Council approved the conversion of Westminster House into 237 C3 residential units.
The project will also include the construction of three additional floors to the 3-storey building. It is slated to commence in the first half of 2023. When completed, the site will include a residents’ gym, cinema, and communal entertainment facility. It will also have work spaces for residents on the lower floors.
According to a 3 November Milton Keynes City Council report, the final site will include two studios, 140 one-bedroom flats, and 95 two-bedroom flats. There will be 274 cycle spaces inside the building. It will also have an existing 46-space carpark at the back remaining.
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Westminster House renovation
“Demand for homes in the private rented sector continues to grow,” said Urban Village Group CEO Nick Sellman. “Our Westminster House project will help meet the increasing requirement in the Milton Keynes region. “We are transforming an empty and neglected office building into a place where people will enjoy coming home. Additionally, all of the shopping and leisure amenities will be right on their doorstep.”
“Currently, 4.5 million households in England rent, accounting for 20% of the market, up from 10% in 2001. A higher number of people is expected to rent rather than own their own homes over the next 15 to 20 years.” As the national housing shortage persists, with an average of 200,000 homes built each year against a Government target of 300,000, the build-to-rent sector has significant potential for significant growth.”
