HMP Parkhurst on the Isle of Wight

“IT’S like a cross between Parkway and Parkhurst.”

That was the verdict of borough councillors who condemned the design of homes on the Broadwater Road site in WGC, propsed by Tesco’s architect.

Although the images showed a beautiful vista similar to Parkway with long tree-lined areas sandwiched between houses, the homes themselves were not to their liking.

Councillor Malcolm Cowan said: “The houses look very barrack-like.”

Sara Johnston, ward councillor for Panshanger, added: “I felt the design of the homes was slightly prison-like and not somewhere I wouldn’t personally like to live at all.”

The Parkhurst quip was made by councillor Steven Markiewicz who also picked up on the architect’s claim the design would bring the Shredded Wheat factory back to the heart of the town.

Cllr Markiewicz said: “Heart of the town? This might rip the heart out of the town.”

The crest-fallen architect told the gathered representatives the homes on the plan were just for illustrative purposes.

Graham Morrison said: “It’s a real privilege to be working on a project like this. It’s steeped in history but a very modern history.

“The heart of WGC. I wasn’t claiming it was the heart of the town, more the spirit of the garden city.

“You don’t like the design of houses, they’re just to illustrate.

“This was a hybrid application, the first phase is focused entirely round the civic square.”

The architect emphasised that although outline planning permission was being sought by Tesco, detailed permission could be gained by any developer.

* For in-depth coverage of the meeting, buy this week’s Welwyn Hatfield Times, out now.