A team of key stakeholders in Hatfield are joining forces to develop a strategy for the town’s renewal to 2030 and beyond.
The newly formed Hatfield Renewal Partnership (HRP) will develop a blueprint for the town’s ongoing transformation.
The partnership was initiated by Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council and Project Board members include the council, Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield Town Council, Goodman Business Parks, Welwyn Hatfield Community Housing Trust and Oaklands College. Other partners include Gascoyne Cecil Estates, Hertfordshire County Council, Welwyn Hatfield Chamber of Commerce and Finesse Leisure.
The process of appointing specialists to work alongside the partnership began this week with the publication of an invitation to tender. The appointed consultants will help deliver a new strategic plan for renewal which will be used to drive growth and investment in Hatfield. It will also identify a series of more specific initiatives and projects to be implemented over the next 15 years that will directly benefit the town, its residents and businesses.
Quintin McKellar, Chair of the HRP Project Board, Vice Chancellor at the University of Hertfordshire and LEP board member, said: “This is a very exciting project for the whole of Hatfield. We will be consulting extensively with local residents, businesses and other key stakeholders to arrive at a long term plan that will shape the future of the town. Everyone involved is committed to identifying a blueprint for Hatfield that underpins its sustained and successful renewal.”
Cllr Bernard Sarson, Executive Member for Business and Partnerships at Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council, said: “A long term strategy for the renewal of Hatfield is a vital part of the town’s future success. It will look beyond the council’s £3.65m investment in the town centre, which people will see taking shape over the next 18 months, and it is an extremely positive sign that such a wide range of organisations are committed to the project.”
Andrew Percival, chair of the LEP’s Strategic Infrastructure Board, said: “Hatfield has huge economic potential. As part of our Growth Deal expansion we successfully secured £6m from the Government for the town’s regeneration and we are committed to working with partners to ensure that Hatfield is an attractive and vibrant place to live, work and do business.”
