MORE than 3,000 homes can be built within Welwyn Hatfield — and not a single one will be on the Green Belt. Over 80 potential sites have been flagged up by planning officers in a bid to partly meet Government housing targets. As the WHT has previously

MORE than 3,000 homes can be built within Welwyn Hatfield - and not a single one will be on the Green Belt.

Over 80 potential sites have been flagged up by planning officers in a bid to partly meet Government housing targets.

As the WHT has previously reported Welwyn Hatfield faced the daunting prospect of at least 10,000 homes forced upon it but this decision was successfully challenged by Hertfordshire County Council earlier this year.

Totals are now being reassessed. It is hoped the 4,400 properties already built between 2001, when the 10,000 homes were originally mooted, and now will be included in any new target.

Planning officers have found room for 3,280 homes mainly on brownfield sites, but may have to look at Green Belt land if more properties are needed.

A few of the sites are:

* 1,066 - Broadwater Road West, WGC,

* 103 - former Three Valleys Water site, Bishops Rise, Hatfield

* 47 - Tudor Road, Welwyn

* 28 - former Godfrey Davis garage, London Road, Welwyn

* 118 - Ratcliff Taillift site, off Bessemer Road, WGC

Councillor Mandy Perkins, responsible for planning issues, said: "This survey provides useful insight about the potential for new housing within our towns and larger villages in Welwyn Hatfield.

"Any potential sites will still have to go through the usual planning process and public consultation."

She added: "Phase two will identify the potential to meet housing need within the borough's green belt. But I must stress that this will only progress if, as a consequence of revised housing figures, green belt sites need to be released.