13/03/2006 Work continues on the Hatfield Town Centre Redevelopment

Funding has been agreed for a further step forward in the much-needed redevelopment of Hatfield’s Town Centre.

English Partnerships, St Modwen Developments Ltd, Metropolitan Housing and Welwyn Hatfield Council have decided that the next phase of ground investigation works will now be undertaken on the site in Lemsford Road, Hatfield. This is the site on which it is planned to locate the Healthy Living Centre, the decked car park and the affordable housing from Metropolitan Housing.

This investigative work, which includes the boring of holes on the site, will commence at the end of March. It is anticipated that the results of all the exploratory work will be known after the end of May.

During this period, the Forum car park will remain closed and residents are urged to utilise the free car park on Link Drive.

This next phase of the redevelopment project is expected to cost approximately £95,000 and will be funded from the Hatfield Town Centre Development budget. In order to avoid any delay in the redevelopment, the Council agreed to fund the continuing work at the Cabinet meeting on Tuesday 7 March 2006.

Councillor Richard Smith, Executive Member for Resources, said: “Ground investigation works take time but are necessary in a project of this scale – we hope this next phase will take place with minimal inconvenience to businesses and residents. We also want to take this opportunity to thank our partners, English Partnerships, St Modwen and Metropolitan Housing, for their continued support in this joint exercise.”