PLANS to triple the size of Stevenage town centre could destroy commerce in WGC and scupper the Hatfield regeneration project, Welwyn Hatfield planning officers have warned.
Welwyn Hatfield Council is writing to Stevenage Borough Council stating its opposition to proposals to increase retail space in the town centre by an extra 130,000 sq m.
If the scheme was approved, it would turn Stevenage into one of the biggest towns in the east of England – something Welwyn Hatfield planning officers believes contravenes the East of England Plan.
In representations objecting to the proposals, Welwyn Hatfield officers say: “This council is concerned that investment would be diverted away from WGC as a consequence (of the expansion).
The objection adds: “On this scale with the associated trade diversion will make it even harder for a scheme at Hatfield to go ahead.”
For more on this story, see this week’s Welwyn Hatfield Times, out tomorrow (Wednesday).
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here