Campaigners fighting plans to turn Welwyn Garden City's B&Q store into 151 new homes are hoping for a "positive judgement", as decision day looms.
The proposal submitted by Thrive Homes to build on the Swallowfields site was refused by Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council back in 2021, but after an appeal, a public inquiry began last December before concluding on Wednesday, January 24.
The final day saw Thrive Homes and Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council and the Welwyn Garden City Society give closing statements, with a decision expected to take four to six weeks to arrive.
As part of the planning application, B&Q and fast food van Dom's Snacks would be evicted, something which Welwyn Garden City Society chair Clive Wilson described as "totally unacceptable".
READ MORE: Opposition grows ahead of Welwyn Garden City B&Q inquiry
"The society looks forward to a positive judgement from the inspector on this important local issue," said Clive.
"The potential eviction of the vibrant, well-loved business at B&Q and Dom;s Snacks for even more flats is totally unacceptable.
"The voice of the community has been registered through the society's representations, the public forum and over 2,300 objections.
"In our view, the process has been long, gruelling and extremely wasteful. There are many lessons to be learned and these are being taken up with the relevant authorities."
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