Healthy Living Centre to be discussed at Cabinet Meeting

Welwyn Hatfield Council has learned that the Primary Care Trust (PCT) has reached a decision about the proposed Healthy Living Centre (HLC) that was a planned part of the Hatfield town centre redevelopment.

Although the PCT cannot proceed with the HLC as they had previously discussed with the council, a solution has been tabled and these proposals are to be discussed at a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday 6 February (7.30pm, Council Chamber, Campus West).

The PCT could still be a part of the town centre, relocating to a space adjacent to the proposed multi-storey car park, within the first phase of the development. Other organisations that would have taken offices in the original HLC building are also to be provided with alternative accommodation. The Bill Salmon Centre could move to the first floor of White Lion House. The Hatfield Housing Office also needs a new site, and various options are to be considered.

The Lemsford Road site, where the HLC would have been located, is now being reconsidered. The area originally intended for the HLC and its decked car park could be made into a flat car park. Doing this would allow the council the option to develop on this land in the future. The housing provision on the site is to proceed as previously agreed. Construction is expected to commence by the end of February 2007.

Any financial implications from these proposals will also be discussed at the Cabinet meeting.

Councillor Richard Smith, Executive Member for Resources, said: “While we are disappointed that the Healthy Living Centre will not proceed as originally envisaged, the proposed plans that we will discuss at Cabinet are a satisfactory solution for all parties concerned. I am pleased that this issue is now nearly resolved and look forward to the imminent start of the redevelopment.”

All other aspects of the town centre regeneration project are progressing well and the main town centre scheme is on target for a first quarter 2008 start on site.