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WHEAT QUARTER NORTH 

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Developers Promo Video 

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You can see what’s already been consented but NOT the additional units being applied for.

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Former Shredded Wheat Factory North Planning Application 6/2021/0181/MAJ
 

The original permission for the Broadwater Road site, which includes both the Wheat Quarter North and South Side, owned by MTVH was for 850 units (permission granted to Spen Hill/Tesco). A joint revised application was submitted by both site owners and permission was granted in February 2019 (the consented scheme ref: 6/2018/0171/MAJ) for 1454 units, an increase of 71% in the number of units.

The latest applications for the Wheat Quarter North and South Side, together seek yet a further increase in mass, density and height, which will bring the overall total number of units on both sites to 2097 units. This is an increase of over 44% from the consented scheme.

For the Wheat Quarter North alone, the number of units will increase from 811 identified in the consented scheme, to 1,220. This is an increase of 409 units and over 50%.

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The application seeks in the region of 13 additional buildings to be added to the consented scheme taking the total number of buildings from 29 to 42. This is a nearly 45% increase in the number of buildings on the site. The overall area of residential floor space would be 117,200 m2 an increase from 61,936 m2 in the consented scheme. This is a colossal 89% + increase in the area of residential floor space from the consented scheme.

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The incremental increases sought in the scale of development, is effectively development by stealth. This application is a prime example of step-by-step infilling, making buildings wider and making them taller, with the result of overdeveloped sites which ultimately destroy the integrity of towns such as WGC. It also means a reduction in green useasble areas.

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Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council (WHBC) have already given consent for the planning application reference number 6/2018/0171/MAJ, granted 15/2/2019, which did not meet the Councils own policy criteria for development in this area. The developers have now put in a further application which in our view makes a harmful scheme considerably more damaging to the town. The hybrid reference is 6/2021/0181/MAJ

 

This proposal significantly exaggerates the most negative elements of the consented scheme and if approved will radically and forever, alter the distinct local design historic setting and unique identity of the town as a renowned Garden City.

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Spot the difference! The approved planning application for the Wheat Quarter North site from 2019 is compared to their latest planning application in the image. We have marked the differences up, to make them easier to see

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THIS IS WHAT WE WILL GET IF THE DEVELOPERS ARE SUCCESSFUL!

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WHEAT QUARTER NORTH OBJECTION SUMMARY

The site sits north of Hydeway, contained by Broadwater Road and the railway tracks. It contains the Grade II listed Shredded Wheat silos and production hall, which must be retained and utilised as iconic features of WGC’s heritage.

Read the Planning Application reference 6/2021/0181/MAJ .http://planning.welhat.gov.uk/planning/comment/6/2021/0181/MAJ?

 

We have met with the developer several times and they are working on an amended application which will still increase the unit number on the consented application.

The original permission for the Broadwater Road site, which includes both the Wheat Quarter North and South Side (owned by MTVH) was for 850 units (permission granted to Spen Hill/Tesco). A joint revised application was submitted by both site owners and permission was granted in February 2019 for 1454 units, resulting in an increase of 71% in the number of units.

 

Consider the developers claims imbedded in the Design and Access Statements under the Documents tab, on the Council websites, which also give a summary of the proposed development with images.

 

You can comment and object by:

  • Attending the consultation tbc

  • Reading our full objection statement

  • Submitting an objection to the Council or emailing planning@welhat.gov.uk  using the planning objection reasons laid out above– they are more powerful when you personalise them.

  • Writing to all Councillors

  • Visit the site

 

Key Dates:

  • tbc for the public consultation

  • Planning committee meeting tbc, expected in late Spring 2022

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