Bellway has been chosen as the developer to deliver 760 new homes on the site of the former Panshanger Aerodrome.

Now known as DeHavilland Park, the land has been sold to Bellway, with the deal agreed by the development team at Savills in Cambridge.

Changes have been made to initial plans as part of the deal, with Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council originally approving a proposal for 860 homes, but two serviced parcels of land earmarked for 50 homes each handed back to Homes England for future sales.

The plans for the site also include retirement accommodation, a primary school, traveller pitches, a new community centre, retail facilities, open space and allotments.

"We are proud to have been chosen by Homes England as its preferred partner to deliver this hugely important development which will bring much-needed new homes to the Welwyn Garden City area," said Ali Maruf, managing director for Bellway North London.

"With the land purchase now secured, we will be liaising with the local authority to formulate our detailed plans to transform the former Panshanger Aerodrome into a brand-new neighbourhood.

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"This exciting regeneration project will not only deliver new housing but will also provide a new school and other new facilities which will benefit the community as a whole."

Neil Miller, head of disposals for the south at Homes England, added: "We are delighted to have secured Bellway as our partner to deliver this hugely significant scheme for both Homes England and Welwyn Hatfield.

"Having previously invested in land acquisition to unlock landowner co-ordination issues and securing outline planning for the site, we now look forward to working with Bellway and the local authority to develop detailed plans that meet the aspirations of the outline permission for 860 new homes, community infrastructure and open space whilst focussing on design, quality and placemaking."

Joe Last, associate in the development team at Savills Cambridge, continued: "With permission for redevelopment into a sustainable new community, DeHavilland Park represents a unique opportunity for a high quality, low density urban extension with an emphasis on design and placemaking.

"We had strong interest in the site from a number of parties and are delighted to have agreed a deal with Bellway – signalling the start of an important scheme that will significantly contribute to the supply of much-needed new homes in Hertfordshire and the wider East of England."