03/02/2006 - Welwyn Hatfield Council objects strongly to Arlington Properties’ Proposal

It has come to the attention of Welwyn Hatfield Council that Arlington Properties has put forward a late proposal for the East of England Plan. Their proposal is for 15,000 dwellings in the Hatfield/St Albans area. Welwyn Hatfield Council objects strongly to this proposal.

The East of England Plan is a plan that, amongst other things, sets out the housing requirements for the Eastern Region to 2021. It is currently being looked at by a panel of inspectors.
 
There are no further details of the proposed 15,000 dwellings. Although it is understood that the scheme includes the currently undeveloped part of the former Aerodrome site.

There have been no discussions with Welwyn Hatfield Council or St Albans City and District Council or consultation with the local community despite the fact that this number of dwellings is equivalent to the current size of Hatfield.
 
Welwyn Hatfield Council cannot see how it can be considered by the Panel of Inspectors due to the lack of available information to support this proposal and the fact that no consultation has been undertaken.
 
Mandy Perkins, Executive Member for Planning and Environmental Health, said: ‘This proposal from Arlington Properties has come out of the blue. It is a mockery to the planning system. Any development of this scale has huge ramifications for this part of Hertfordshire and the local communities. The Panel should make it quite clear that it has no intention whatsoever of considering this proposal. We will resist this with all of our strength and will be looking for St Albans to join with us in opposing this ludicrous proposal.’