Policy information sourced from the Welwyn Hatfield Local Plan

SADM 22 Development within Hatfield Town Centre Core Retail Zone

Land within the Core Retail Zone, as shown on the Policies Map is identified as an opportunity area for high density mixed use development. Planning permission will be granted for schemes comprising retail, office, community, leisure, parking and residential uses in accordance with the town centre strategy and Policy SADM 4, provided that they support the regeneration of Hatfield town centre and its vitality and viability.

Land at 1 Town Centre and 3-9 Town Centre as shown on the Policies Map (Site HS36) is allocated for high density, mixed use development comprising approximately 1200 square metres E(a) and/or E(b) uses and including 66 dwellings to meet the requirement for retail floorspace in the town centre identified in the plan.

Applications for land at 1 Town Centre and 3-9 Town Centre will be required to address the following design and land use principles:

  1. Uses located on the ground floor will be in E(a) and/or E(b) use.
  2. The creation of a high quality landmark building to address the Wellfield Road and Queensway frontages and to terminate the key vista along the Old St Albans Road from Asda to improve the legibility of the town centre.
  3. At ground floor level, development on this site will become primary retail frontage following the relevant criteria set out in Policy SADM 4.

Applications for development elsewhere in the Core Retail Zone will be required to address the following design and land use principles:

  1. Landmark buildings should be created in prominent locations and to terminate key vistas to improve the legibility of the town centre.
  2. Access to uses at first floor and above should be via entrances from the street.
  3. Multi-storey or decked car parking arrangements should be considered.
  4. Blank frontages should be minimised and development proposals should provide for a more outward looking town centre (service yards should be concealed and development over such areas considered).
  5. Opportunities should be take to enhance the immediate physical environment to improve the character and quality of the town centre.
  6. Opportunities should be taken to improve the public realm and its functionality by ensuring a consistent and coordinated treatment of materials and street furniture and substantially improving key pedestrian routes within the town centre.
  7. Opportunities should be taken to improve pedestrian and cycle connectivity to the wider network and to respond to natural connections and design lines.
  8. Opportunities should be taken to improve public transport connections and where feasible to provide a bus interchange facility.

Proposals for development at a height above four storeys will be considered in relation to the criteria on tall buildings set out in policy SP9 High Quality Design.

For more information please see the Welwyn Hatfield Local Plan