BioPark, Broadwater Road
The BioPark site was our first campaign – we galvanised the WGC community to demand better design and impressed upon the council how important good quality design was for residents of WGC. Sadly the Council lost an appeal with the planning Inspectorate, and so the application was finally passed.
This site is situated on the former University of Hertfordshire BioPark site, in Peartree ward. It has been vacant for some years and recently been demolished by the owner. We continue to watch closely to see what happens next. The site is currently for sale with extant planning permission.
The BioPark application for 289 dwellings was rejected by the DMC on September 9, 2021, with ten councillors voting against it and only three in favour. None of the supporting councillors represented Welwyn Garden City.
Keep the G in WGC’s first campaign to protect the vision of Ebenezer Howard saw over 7,000 leaflets delivered across WGC,3 times over, raised funds through a crowdfunder and resulted in 674 objections. All representations are published on the Council’s website.
Despite this, the developer appealed, and in Summer 2022, the Inspector upheld the appeal, granting planning permission. The WGC community raised £12,000 to fund a professional planner for the appeal defence. Although the outcome was disappointing, the experience has strengthened Together’s resolve to hold future developments, planners and the Council accountable.
This appeal was always going to be a tough ask, but with the support of the community, and with the WGC Society also working in parallel, the community put forward a credible and cohesive case – our participation was commented upon by the inspector in his decision notice.
Thank you to everyone who contributed their time, finances, and support – it made a difference.
