Interview with Alan Duff (b.1945).
Alan Duff moved to Milton Keynes in 1970 to work for the Milton Keynes Development Corporation as a commercial surveyor. He describes various aspects of his work there from 1970 to 1983. Initially he worked on acquisition of farmland, particularly land for the sewage works. He recalls the enthusiasm, and ‘frontier spirit’ of MKDC staff, and recalls social links between MKDC and Open University staff, who were all working on new and exciting projects.
Working in the Commercial Department, Alan was involved on planning of many commercial faciltiies and in 1977, at the stage of the detailed planning of Central Milton Keynes shopping, he was promoted to Commercial Director. He discusses topics such as housing and the CMK development, and talks of the relationship between MKDC Executive and the Board, praising Jock Campbell, the Chair: ‘an extraordinary bloke’. He also comments on the effects of changing government policies on funding for MK between 1977 and 1983. Looking back, he accepts MKDC did did not succeed in everything; public transport is a classic example. ‘The biggest success for me is the Shopping Centre … It was way ahead of its time.’
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