Works starts on Hatfield Town Centre redevelopment

Welwyn Hatfield Council is delighted to announce that building work has started on the first phase of the Hatfield town centre redevelopment.

The first phase of this major regeneration project is the construction of 84 affordable homes on the former Forum site in Lemsford Road. The development will consist of one and two bedroom flats for rent and shared ownership, and replacement public car parking. This phase provides the bulk of the affordable housing element of the town centre re generation.

Metropolitan Housing Trust (MHT), acting on behalf of St Modwen, are responsible for delivering the scheme. It is expected that the first phase of the affordable housing development (27 units) will be completed by the end of March 2008, with the remaining 57 homes ready to occupy during 2009

Councillor Richard Smith, Executive Member for Resources, said: “This start on site is the fruition of years of hard work. I must thank all the officers at the council, St Modwen, national regeneration agency English Partnerships and MHT for their commitment to this project.”

Executive Member for Housing, Councillor Roger Trigg, said: “As well as the officers and housing association, I must also thank the Housing Corporation, who have provided over £4 million in funding for the Lemsford Road project.”

Councillor Mandy Perkins, Executive Member for Planning, added: “I am delighted with this news. We have promised in our Corporate Plan to regenerate and improve Hatfield’s town centre. After so much planning, it’s very satisfying, both for me and – I hope – residents, to see work begin on this much anticipated development.”

The main town centre scheme is on target for a start on site in the first quarter of 2008.