Design South East is delighted to have been invited to partner with Hemel Garden Community to bring independent and impartial advice through a new Quality Review Panel (QRP). Hemel Garden Communities (HGC) is an ambitious development programme that will transform Hemel Hempstead and aims to create attractive and sustainable new neighbourhoods and communities to the north and east of the town through the delivery of more than 11,000 new homes and 10,000 new jobs by 2050.

The HGC partners – Dacorum Borough Council, St Albans City and District Council, Hertfordshire County Council and Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership – are working with The Crown Estate to deliver the HGC programme. The Quality Review Panel will support all stakeholders to achieve the Spatial Vision for HGC, to create new neighbourhoods set around vibrant local centres and transform existing ones and the wider area, building on the best of Hemel Hempstead’s heritage and culture. The ambition is for HGC to become a greener, healthier, more connected and sustainable New Town, with its original masterplan designed by Sir Geoffrey Jellicoe.

Following an insightful Induction event, the panel enjoyed a day out to explore the extensive site and to review the emerging Framework Plan which will help to deliver the Spatial Vision for the expansion of this post-war New Town. The new panel brings a wide range of specialisms to support the delivery of the Vision.