The English Partnerships-backed quango overseeing the development of Milton Keynes has set itself at loggerheads with local politicians by backing proposals to demolish large swaths of council housing.

The Milton Keynes Partnership Committee's growth strategy recommends that 13,000 of the 34,000 extra homes needed to meet the government targets can be accommodated by building on existing low-density estates.

The remaining 21,000 homes could be supplied by two urban extensions to the south-east and south-west of the town, which is one of the linchpins in delivering the government's South-east growth strategy.

But in a report to be considered after Building went to press, Jane Hamilton, MKPC's chief operating officer, warns the committee that the scale of development proposed within the town may not achievable because of public and local council opposition.