Policy information sourced from the Welwyn Hatfield Local Plan
SP 3 Settlement Strategy and Green Belt Boundaries
In order to meet the need for housing and employment land this plan has identified land which has been released from the Green Belt. Green Belt boundaries have been defined as shown on the Policies Map. Planting and landscape buffers are proposed, as appropriate, to define newly established Green Belt boundaries, as indicated in the Local Plan and on the Policies Map. Green Belt boundaries will be maintained throughout the plan period and will only be reviewed through a review of this plan.
Consistent with the settlement hierarchy, the primary focus for new development will be in and around the two towns of Welwyn Garden City and Hatfield where accessibility to strategic transport networks and public transport is good and the greatest potential exists to maximise accessibility to job opportunities, shops, services and other facilities, and to create new neighbourhoods with supporting infrastructure.
The secondary focus for development will be in and around the excluded villages at a more limited scale, compatible with the more limited range of job opportunities, shops, services and other facilities available in these locations.
In villages and other rural areas of the borough that lie within the Green Belt, development will be restricted so as to be consistent with the type of development envisaged in national planning policy and other policies of this plan.
Development that would result in disproportionate growth to any of the settlements, conflict with the function and position of a settlement within the hierarchy, which cannot be supported by the necessary infrastructure or result in a loss of services and facilities which are considered to be key to supporting local communities will be resisted.
| Type | Name of settlements | Description and Function |
|---|---|---|
| Main Town | Welwyn Garden City | A medium sized town; the borough’s largest with good accessibility to road, rail and bus networks, a major town centre and a series of large and small neighbourhood centres. The town provides a key focus for jobs and shops, serving a sub-regional catchment area beyond the borough boundary. Key public services and facilities are concentrated here. A primary focus for new development, which will reinforce its role as the borough’s principal centre for economic activity and support the delivery of economic growth. |
| Town | Hatfield | A medium sized town, with good accessibility to road, rail and bus networks, a town centre and a series of large and small neighbourhood centres. The town provides a key focus for jobs and higher education, serving a catchment area beyond the borough boundary. Shopping, community and leisure facilities serve the town’s needs in the main. A primary focus for new development, which will help bring about investment and regeneration and deliver economic growth. |
| Large excluded villages | Welwyn, Welham Green, Brookmans Park, Cuffley | Villages excluded from (not in) the Green Belt with large service centres, but a more limited range of employment opportunities and services than the two towns. Shops and facilities mainly serve the community needs of these villages and those living in surrounding rural areas. Accessibility to the main road network is good and they are served by rail and/or bus networks. A secondary focus for new development where this is compatible with the scale and character of the village, and the maintenance of Green Belt boundaries. |
| Small excluded villages and settlements | Woolmer Green, Oaklands & Mardley Heath, Digswell, Little Heath | Villages excluded from (not in) the Green Belt, plus Little Heath which forms a northern extension of the town of Potters Bar in Hertsmere. These have a more limited range of employment opportunities and services than the large excluded villages. One village is directly served by rail services, with the others served by good bus services. Accessibility to the main road network is good. A secondary focus for a limited amount of new development where this is compatible with the scale and character of the village, and the maintenance of Green Belt boundaries. |
| Green Belt villages | Lemsford, Essendon, Newgate Street, Northaw | Villages set in open countryside and washed over by (within) the Green Belt. Typically residential with limited local facilities and services. Accessibility is mainly via the rural road network and infrequent bus services. None are served by rail. Limited scope for development and only where this would be compatible with Green Belt policy. |
| Small Green Belt villages and settlements | Ayot St Lawrence, Ayot St Peter, Ayot Green, Burnham Green (part of), Stanborough, Mill Green, Bullens Green, Wild Hill, Woodside, Bell Bar, Water End, Swanley Bar | Small villages and hamlets in rural areas or other areas of development all located within the Green Belt. Typically residential, communities must look towards larger settlements for services and facilities. Accessibility is mainly car dependant. Not generally suitable for further development unless it is compatible with Green Belt policy. |
For more information please see the Welwyn Hatfield Local Plan