News editor Chris Lennon continues the WHT's series of features focusing on different aspects of the core strategy – which is a blueprint that will steer development in Welwyn Hatfield until 2026. This week: town centres.

News editor Chris Lennon continues the WHT's series of features focusing on different aspects of the core strategy - which is a blueprint that will steer development in Welwyn Hatfield until 2026. This week: town centres.

THEY may be situated just a few miles apart within the same borough, but the town centres of WGC and Hatfield are two very different beasts.

And they currently face very different challenges, too.

For WGC is currently at the mercy of two supermarket giants, with Tesco bidding to transform Broadwater Road and Sainsbury's drawing up plans for a major rebuild of its Church Road store.

Meanwhile, the regeneration of Hatfield has been a hot topic ever since news seeped out last spring the �100m revamp had been postponed because of the credit crunch.

The core strategy recognises the

differences between the two, and as such has to set out the borough's approach to them both.

And this is keeping in mind both towns have been given KCDC status - Key Centre for Development and Change - if you remember last week's article.

* AN 'issues and options' document was set to be approved at Tuesday's meeting of Welwyn Hatfield Council's cabinet.

The core strategy will then be subject to a two-month period of public consultation, over the spring.

That will be the time to make your views known to the council.

Further details on how to respond will appear in the WHT in due course.