Redevelopment of Hitchin’s Westmill estate moves step forward
The planning application has now been submitted to deliver a £20million redevelopment of Hitchin’s Westmill estate.
The investment, funded by settle will see over 80 homes and commercial units delivered in the first two phases of development along with additional new homes in a further third phase.
The first two phases will see 83 homes and two commercial units built at John Barker Place. The development will also allow for a new children’s play area on Swinburne playing fields which will form part of a separate planning application. It is hoped that the new play area can be opened later in 2019 with the first homes available from 2022.
Residents of the nearby Westmill Lawns retirement living scheme and Freemans Close are expected to move into the homes built during the first two phases to enable them to continue living safely and comfortably in the surroundings they’re familiar with on the Westmill estate.
The planning application has been submitted following a public exhibition on 10 April and discussion with residents at Westmill Lawns, Freemans Close and the owners of the businesses based in the commercial units.
Anita Khan, executive director of customer services at settle said ” We know that the redevelopment of John Barker Place has been long awaited by residents. We’re pleased to be moving forward through the important step of submitting this planning application. We encourage residents to submit their views so that we can continue to progress this investment in the Westmill estate as quickly as possible.
It is expected that the planning application will shortly be live on the NHDC website. NHDC residents can then provide feedback directly on the planning application.
