SIR – On March 4 Welwyn Hatfield Council begins a two month consultation about the future of Welwyn Hatfield. The Core Strategy Issues and Options consultation will establish what is most important to the people of our borough and what needs to be centra

SIR - On March 4 Welwyn Hatfield Council begins a two month consultation about the future of Welwyn Hatfield.

The Core Strategy Issues and Options consultation will establish what is most important to the people of our borough and what needs to be central to planning decisions over the next 15 years or so.

In 2005, the Government's East of England Plan set out planning guidance for the borough, up to 2026.

Welwyn Hatfield has been identified as a Key Centre for Development and Change and will, therefore, be considerably transformed as a result.

There are a number of challenges that we will face including: the provision of 10,000 new homes, enhancement of our neighbourhood infrastructures and enablement of a proportion of 68,000 jobs stipulated for Hertfordshire.

In order for the most viable and desirable solution to be met, consultation is critical. To meet the population's needs, the council needs to hear your views.

I therefore urge every resident, business owner and employee who frequents Welwyn Hatfield to participate in the consultation process.

A number of events are planned throughout March at locations in the borough.

Information is also available to view and for comment at: libraries; council, town and parish offices; Hatfield housing office; Essendon Primary School and online at www.welhat.gov.uk/planning.

I would like to thank the WHT for its coverage of the main themes of this consultation over the past few weeks, for bringing the breadth, scope and importance of the consultation process to the public's attention.

Councillor Mandy Perkins, executive member for planning and environmental health.