Wheat Quarter, Broadwater Road
This site contains the listed structures of the former Shredded Wheat production hall and silos, and was a key feature of the town in its early years, being one of the first industrial buildings. The buildings are evocative for many residents and a huge site with the potential for development as a key location next to the train station, and the conservation areas of Handside, the Town Centre and Peartree.
The original permission for the Broadwater Road site, which includes both the Wheat Quarter North and South Side, owned by MTVH was for 850 units (permission granted to Spen Hill/Tesco). A joint revised application was submitted by both site owners and permission was granted in February 2019 (the consented scheme ref: 6/2018/0171/MAJ) for 1454 units, an increase of 71% in the number of units.
The site sits north of Hydeway, contained by Broadwater Road and the railway tracks. It contains the Grade II listed Shredded Wheat silos and production hall, which should be retained and utilised as iconic features of WGC’s heritage.
It has now been purchased by developer IJM after its previous owner fell into administration. A new planning application has been received by Welwyn Hatfield Council and is under consideration.
The Planning sub group at Together for WGC has considered its response and will shortly publish this on the Council’s planning portal and here. Our supporters are encouraged to submit their own comments. The planning application reference is 6/2025/0321/MAJ.
The current live application includes for demolition of some existing structures (including some Grade II Listed Buildings), and the provision of townhouses, residential care accommodation for the elderly with associated communal facilities, Build to Rent accommodation, an aparthotel, a retail and cycle hub unit,, and the change of use of remaining existing retained buildings to retail, commercial and leisure uses. Note that the demolition of listed structures refers to the production hall, but not the silos. We are informed that the production hall is beyond viable financial repair.
