A beautiful village sign has been unveiled to mark the near completion of a new development at Mill Green.

Nine three and four bedroom homes have been built in the hamlet, sandwiched between the River Lea and Mill Green golf course, just off the A1000 running between Hatfield and Welwyn Garden City.

Welwyn Hatfield Times: Lord and Lady Salisbury, Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council leader Councillor Tony Kingsbury, and Welwyn Hatfield Mayor Councillor Barbara Fitzsimon in front of the new Mill Green sign.Lord and Lady Salisbury, Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council leader Councillor Tony Kingsbury, and Welwyn Hatfield Mayor Councillor Barbara Fitzsimon in front of the new Mill Green sign. (Image: Richard Washbrooke Photography. Supplied by Gascoyne Estates)

The Mill Green Lane ceremony was attended by Lord and Lady Salisbury from Hatfield House, Welwyn Hatfield Mayor Councillor Barbara Fitzsimon, members and officers from the local authority, the professional team involved in the project, and residents of Mill Green and the neighbouring communities.

Lord Salisbury explained how the nine quality new homes have been carefully built following the traditional design and appearance of cottages previously built by Gascoyne Estates, and the high standards and attention to detail set by the Estates Design Code and Pattern Book.

Welwyn Hatfield Times: The new Mill Green sign is unveiled on the green outside the new Jarvis Homes development in Mill Green Lane.The new Mill Green sign is unveiled on the green outside the new Jarvis Homes development in Mill Green Lane. (Image: Richard Washbrooke Photography. Supplied by Gascoyne Estates)

Wider improvements for the public benefit include improved street lighting and noise attenuation, which have all been woven into the development, along with a newly created green and the village sign which marks the entrance to the community.

Sustainable development is at the heart of the scheme, with each property operating on air source heat pumps, plus high levels of insulation, mechanical ventilation and heat recovery systems.

Welwyn Hatfield Times: Guests at the unveiling of the new sign at Mill Green.Guests at the unveiling of the new sign at Mill Green. (Image: Richard Washbrooke Photography. Supplied by Gascoyne Estates)

In September 2011, a three-day charette (public meeting) was held with the residents of Mill Green, to discuss how the hamlet might be revived.

It covered the challenges residents faced and provided the community a real voice in the project.

The result of the charette was to agree a masterplan which sought to regenerate Mill Green.

Welwyn Hatfield Times: The newly created green and Mill Green sign which marks the entrance to the community.The newly created green and Mill Green sign which marks the entrance to the community. (Image: Richard Washbrooke Photography. Supplied by Gascoyne Estates)

Planning permission was awarded in 2018.

The community also expressed a strong desire to see The Green Man public house re-open.

Therefore the development has also seen the restoration of the Grade II-listed building, adding additional dining space to the property, a new kitchen and landscaped grounds.

As a result, the renovated pub is being let to a new operator.

In partnership with Jarvis Homes, construction commenced in 2021 with completion anticipated in May 2023.

                                                                                                                                

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