Have your say now on a long-term Hitchin housing project in Westmill

Consultation is now open for the third phase of the long-term Hitchin Westmill housing project - namely, the next phase of John Barker Place plans.

The planning application says: "Proposed residential development for 48 dwellings comprising 30 apartments, 14 two storey flats and 4 houses with associated vehicle and cycle parking, open space, access and ancillary works following demolition of existing buildings."

The planning application for Phase 3 is open now for consultation until Saturday, November 19.

Application details can be viewed on the council's website, search for case reference number 22/02628/FP.

The story so far:

Phase 1 – Kingfisher House

News homes relating to the redevelopment at John Barker Place, Kingfisher House, were completed in July 2022. The five-storey building is now home to 37 residents from the nearby retirement living flats at Westmill Lawns.

The building also includes the local convenience shop and a takeaway unit on the ground floor.

Developers, Settle say: "We're pleased to confirm that the new homes at Kingfisher House, the first building of the redevelopment at John Barker Place in the Westmill neighbourhood, Hitchin, is now complete."

Phase 2A & 2B

The new building that is being developed, replacing the current row of shops and flats on John Barker Place will have two entrances. The building on the left side will be called Oughton Court and the block with the entrance on the right is to be named Cornmill House.

Phase 2C

The new building that will sit behind Phase 2A will also have two entrances, the building on the left will be named Reed House and properties on the right – Willow Court. The road between Kingfisher House and Oughton Court and behind Reed House and Willow Court will be named Kingfisher View.See plan below for more details.

Which leads us to Phase 3...

Phase 3 – New homes on site of Freemans Close

Outline planning permission was granted in 2020 for a third phase of development at John Barker Place to provide 49 new affordable homes on the site of Freemans Close.

Developers Settle held a final design exhibition over the summer to give residents an opportunity to share their views before an application was made to the council.

Subject to approval, work will begin on site in 2023, once Phase 2 is complete. The proposed properties will provide a mixture of social rent and shared ownership homes which we expect to be completed in 2025.

However, in the new plans it appears one home has been dropped from the initial plans set out in 2020, to now provide 48 instead of 49 new homes.

Settle say: "Some of the key changes that we have made to the designs in line with resident feedback includes the positioning of open space and adjustment to some of the heights of the buildings."

Settle also say with regards to John Barker Place and Westmill Road: "We also consulted on proposed plans for the development of properties 2 to 136 John Barker Place (opposite the new development) and 53 to 75 Westmill Road (odd numbers only).

"Proposed plans also include the redevelopment of the site of the Westmill Lawns retirement living scheme. This is the third consultation we have had on proposed plans for the new development."

The planning application for Phase 3 is open now for consultation until Saturday, November 19.

Application details can be viewed on the council's website, search for case reference number 22/02628/FP.