Hemel Hempstead was designated as one of the government’s proposed New Towns after the Second World War, with the original plans drawn up by Geoffrey Jellicoe based on his view of a ‘city in a park’. Supported by Garden City Principles, Hemel Garden Communities (HGC) will take the best of the New Town heritage into the 21st century with over 11,000 new homes, 10,000 jobs and Hertfordshire Innovation Quarter, transforming Hemel Hempstead and creating extensive new neighbourhoods to the north and east.
The HGC partners – Dacorum Borough Council, St Albans City and District Council, Hertfordshire County Council and Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) -are working with The Crown Estate and other stakeholders to deliver this ambitious development programme. A HGC Spatial Vision provides a framework of locally-specific spatial principles to inform detailed masterplanning and to guide landowners and developers.
The HGC Quality Review Panel is supporting the partners to bring forward a successful and sustainable urban extension, being involved at an early stage in the review of the strategic framework and transport plans. The panel includes a range of experts with experience of the planning, design and delivery of significant urban extensions, including governance and stewardship.