Development news: Hatfield town centre

Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council and St Modwen announced at a meeting with retailers and members of the local community on 10 July that due to the global economic downturn, there would be a delay to the regeneration of Hatfield town centre.Hatfield town centre

Factors affecting the delay include the reluctance of national retailers to commit to new or additional store due to the challenging and uncertain economic climate and the deterioration of the housing market. These factors have led to a funding shortfall for the development.

The council is currently investigating all avenues, including central Government, to secure additional funding so the regeneration work can get underway as soon as is feasible under the current economic climate.

The council recognises the need to improve the town centre in this interim period and has launched two new working groups to manage improvements to Hatfield town centre.
1The Hatfield Town Centre Forum,
Chaired by Leader of the Council, Councillor John Dean, will comprise local businesses, representatives of Action Hatfield and Hatfield Town Council and will agree and implement interim improvements to the town centre, as well as longer term strategies.
2 The Hatfield Town Centre Officer Group,
comprising senior council staff, will consider the impacts caused by the delay to the regeneration and work on interim improvements to the town centre. The group will work closely to support the Hatfield Town Centre Forum.

CCTV has been identified as one of the urgent requirements from the 10 July meeting, and the council has approved funding to install cameras in the town centre. A survey is being carried out to identify key locations, and it is expected cameras will be installed within six months.

In addition, the Hatfield Town Centre Officer Group are asking Hertfordshire County Council to improve the lighting in the town centre, will encourage short term lets in vacant units, install new toilet facilities, repair and replace benches and waste bins and work with private landlords to maintain unoccupied properties. The group will also work with the police to increase the number of officers, PCSO’s and street wardens in the town centre.

John Dean said: “The Council, St Modwen and English Partnerships are working together to ensure the people of Hatfield can see an improved town centre as soon as possible.”

For all the latest news, please keep an eye out for the council’s quarterly magazine Life, which will carry a specific Hatfield town centre article each issue, and also keep checking the website for all the latest news.