Mike Jones
Partner
Mike is a chartered town planner and has extensive experience and local knowledge across an array of sectors within the Oxford to Cambridge Arc.
Mike is a chartered town planner and has extensive experience and local knowledge across an array of sectors within the Oxford to Cambridge Arc.
Based at the heart of the Arc, Mike leads the Milton Keynes planning team, dealing with development projects principally across Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire, Northamptonshire and Hertfordshire. He specialises in resolving planning issues and negotiating with stakeholders to implement planning strategies and deliver sustainable developments.
Mike’s background is principally within development management and the housing sector, including large-scale strategic planning applications for new settlements and urban extensions. This has enabled him to be adept in the strategic promotion of land of various scales and uses through local and neighbourhood plans.
He prides himself on the variety of his work, from large-scale energy schemes, urban mixed-use developments, residential care, education and civic buildings, and community projects - this includes expert witness work at appeals and local plan examinations.
At Campbell Wharf, he assisted in a scheme of ‘planning excellence’, delivering a vibrant, unique, mixed-us,e sustainable development. The development has been recognised by the RTPI as a success in local engagement and mixed-use waterside regeneration and has led to further instructions across Central Milton Keynes for similar innovative developments.
Awards:
- Shortlisted for Best Housing Scheme and Stakeholder Engagement in Planning at the Planning Magazine Awards 2021
- Shortlisted for National RTPI Awards 2021
- RTPI’s Regional South East Award 2020
Accreditations
Bedfordshire Local Plan Watch - Spring 2021
The publication of the Oxford to Cambridge Arc Strategic Framework in February 2021 notes Bedfordshire to be an area of opportunity and identified growth. Alongside the implementation of the East West Rail scheme, opportunities are arising for employment, housing and infrastructure within the borough.
Bidwells’ planning team enter this year’s RTPI Planning Excellence Award with two knock-out nominations
With their innovative affordable housing strategy in North Norfolk and pioneering Campbell Wharf planning scheme in Milton Keynes, Bidwells has scored a double nomination in this year’s Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) national award shortlist for Planning Excellence.
Bidwells wins major South East planning award for Milton Keynes' Campbell Wharf
Bidwells entered Campbell Wharf, in central Milton Keynes, into this year’s prestigious Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) South East Awards for Planning Excellence. We were announced as the winner of the award at the online ceremony premiered on YouTube on November 16.
Bedfordshire Local Plan Watch - Autumn 2020
Bedfordshire is an area of opportunity and a focus for growth given its location at the centre of the Oxford-MK-Cambridge Arc. The combination of East-West Rail infrastructure with the provision of new train stations and road infrastructure provides the platform for significant employment and housing led growth.
Buckinghamshire Local Plan Watch - Autumn 2020
It continues to be a mixed bag across Buckinghamshire with the Local Plans of Aylesbury and Chiltern/South Bucks stalled at examination but progress looking to be made on the review of Plan:MK in Milton Keynes with the ongoing preparation of the Mk Futures 2050 Growth Strategy. Moving forward, the proposed revisions to the standard methodology suggest a significant increase in housing need for the upcoming strategic plan for Buckinghamshire to address.
Buckinghamshire Local Plan Watch - Spring 2020
Our Planning team constantly monitor the activities of local planning authorities in Buckinghamshire to identify opportunities for clients. March's update provides an insight to latest local plans coming forward across the region.
Leic, Beds and Northants Local Plan Watch - Spring 2020
Our Planning team constantly monitor the activities of local planning authorities to identify opportunities for clients. Our spring update provides an insight to latest local plans coming forward across the region.
Living with Beauty: Promoting health, wellbeing and sustainable growth
The Building Better, Building Beautiful Commission's (BBBBC) report ‘Living with Beauty: Promoting Health, Wellbeing and Sustainable Growth’ was published last month and advocates a proposed overhaul of the current planning system, to be replaced by a new development and planning framework.
What is the East West Rail link?
The East West Rail link, also called the Varsity Line, is the railway route that once linked Oxford and Cambridge. It allowed for quick and easy travel between the two university towns, and also provided easy access to Milton Keynes.