At Full Council on 10 July, North Herts councillors voted to progress with their preferred approach to regenerate the Churchgate area, following extensive public consultation and technical feasibility work.

A range of potential plans were considered, and the selected approach proposes a balanced, mixed-use redevelopment focused on the Churchgate Shopping Centre and outdoor market site, along with other key nearby plots. It was identified as the most viable way to deliver on community priorities while remaining financially realistic and sensitive to Hitchin's historic character.

The plan responds directly to public feedback, which called for more vibrant and flexible market space, affordable homes, sustainable design, and improved community and leisure spaces.

Councillors also agreed a set of five development principles to guide the next stage of the project, and approved funding to bring in a specialist regeneration project manager to help drive delivery.

Cllr Tamsin Thomas, Executive Member for Enterprise & Arts, said: "This is a big moment for Hitchin. We now have a realistic and exciting way forward – one that respects the town's character while opening up huge opportunities for the future.

"We've listened closely to what residents told us they want to see, and now we're in a strong position to start making it happen.

"Our focus is on creating a vibrant, welcoming town centre – with a better market, more green and social spaces, and homes local people can afford. This is regeneration with purpose, and I'm proud we're moving ahead."

The next steps include preparing a detailed business plan that will define how the Council will procure a development partner and take the project forward.

Residents can continue to follow the project's progress via the dedicated Churchgate Hub

You can also view the public report