Update on the Hatfield Town Centre Regeneration Project

Welwyn Hatfield Council has confirmed that the regeneration of Hatfield town centre will go ahead as intended, whatever the final decision of the Primary Care Trust (PCT) is regarding their accommodation requirements in the town centre.

In November, the council learned from the recently restructured East and North Hertfordshire Primary Care Trust that they were reviewing their accommodation options in the town centre. This affected the construction start date of the Healthy Living Centre in Hatfield, which was originally envisaged to be this month.

The PCT is due to confirm their precise requirements by the end of January and the council in anticipation of this decision has been formulating alternative proposals for the other proposed occupants of the centre. If a decision is taken not to proceed with the construction of the facility, the other services and community groups will be housed elsewhere in the town centre.

Councillor Richard Smith, Executive Member for Resources said: “We are determined that the regeneration will go ahead and are actively looking at the range of options in the event that the PCT is unable to keep to the agreed plan involving the Healthy Living Centre. Such a decision would be likely to cause a delay overall of a few weeks, but would not affect the grand plan of the fully revitalised town centre.”

Other aspects of the town centre regeneration project are progressing well. Consideration is now moving to the more specific detail of the retailers that are to occupy the new premises in the town. Significant interest has been shown by major retailers in the development and negotiations are taking place with two anchor stores. Many other retailers are reviewing their options.

Additionally, the housing provision on the former Forum site in Lemsford Road is expected to commence construction by Spring 2007. The main town centre scheme is on target for a first quarter 2008 start on site.