Interview with Henry Cleary

In this interview Henry Cleary recalls some of the challenges that emerged in his role. There was a need to justify a New Town development corporation’s plans, funded with government money, to a government led by Mrs Thatcher, who did not believe is state enterprise. This was difficult, and he and his staff had to ensure that MKDC did not ‘bend the rules’ too far to achieve their aims. He recounts some of the details that he supervised, including: investment strategy; attraction of businesses; responses to changes in government policy; and disposal of all the community-related assets (landscaping, etc.). This last problem was one Henry was most closely involved with in MK, and led to the formation of the Parks Trust, which Henry believes is one of MK’s great successes.

Henry comments that Milton Keynes ‘had many virtues’: a visionary plan, brilliant location and bold developments to attract the private sector. His Division worked closely with MKDC and he enjoyed working with all the ‘inspiring’ chief officers, mentioning John Walker and Frank Henshaw in particular. He praises Sir Henry Chilver, Chairman of MKDC, for his skill in persuading Mrs Thatcher to visit MK on many occasions, to see new private sector developments. He considers that MK is a place ‘that demonstrates that growth is possible’.