The Welwyn Garden City location, now called DeHavilland Park, has been dubbed a key project by Homes England due to its potential to provide much-needed new housing in the region.
Bellway has purchased the 135-acre site following an agreement reached by the Savills development team in Cambridge.
The local council of Welwyn Hatfield previously sanctioned plans for 860 homes, with an affordable housing quota of 30%, at DeHavilland Park.
Out of these, Bellway is set to build 760 homes and will return two land parcels, designated for an additional 100 homes (50 each), to Homes England for later sales.
In addition to housing, the development’s plans include facilities for older adults, a primary school, spaces for travellers, a new community hub, shops, green spaces, allotments, and landscaping with access roads.
Joe Last from Savills Cambridge believes that the project will foster sustainable development, featuring high-quality residential, commercial, and community spaces.
He highlights the opportunity DeHavilland Park presents for creating a distinctive, design-focused urban neighbourhood with low-density housing.
Last notes the strong market interest in the site and expresses satisfaction with finalizing the deal with Bellway, which is set to play a significant role in addressing the housing needs in Hertfordshire and surrounding areas in Eastern England.
Ali Maruf of Bellway North London expresses pride in Bellway’s selection by Homes England to spearhead the essential development, which aims to bring much-needed homes and community services to the Welwyn Garden City region.
With the land purchase complete, Bellway will start detailed planning with the local authorities to convert the former Panshanger Aerodrome into a thriving new community including the construction of new homes, a school, and other facilities that will enhance community life.
Neil Miller, representing Homes England, shares his excitement about partnering with Bellway to execute this landmark project for the area. He highlights the organization’s prior involvement in resolving land ownership issues and obtaining initial planning permission and looks forward to focusing on design quality in the future development stages.
The Panshanger Aerodrome has historical significance as a decoy site for the De Havilland aviation plant in Hatfield during WWII and later as an airfield for small aircraft.
