Hightown Housing Association has been granted planning permission by Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council to build 128 new homes, all below market rates, in Welwyn Garden City.
The new homes will bring 128 one and two bedroom apartments for rent and shared ownership to the area. The homes for rent will go to people in housing need nominated by Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council, and the shared ownership (part buy, part rent) properties will be available to aspiring homeowners.
Located at 29 Broadwater Road (opposite the Shredded Wheat site), the development will transform the disused office building into new affordable homes.
There will be a central communal green space for residents. The development will be red brick with tall windows and takes inspiration from the traditional neo-Georgian architectural style of buildings in Welwyn Garden City such as the council offices.
As well as having access to the town centre, residents will be close to public transport links with regular trains into London in less than half an hour.
Hightown will aim to start construction in 2021 and complete the development by late 2022.
Andrew Royall, Development Director for Hightown, said: “This is great news for local people looking for affordable housing in Welwyn Garden City. We understand just how important it is that these new homes are in keeping with the local character of the area and we thought carefully about the design and need for additional green space. By doing so, we are respecting the principles of this historic garden city founded by Sir Ebenezer Howard 100 years ago.”
