This high grade agricultural land is part of a large tract owned by two companies connected with the Salisbury family and Viscount William Cranbourne. The land is managed by Gascoyne Cecil Estates, who also manage up to 300 residential properties, as well as a commercial and office portfolio, hotels and golf courses in Herts and Dorset. Lord Salisbury and his family own Hatfield House and Estate, together with significant tracts of farmland in Hertfordshire and elsewhere.
Gascoyne Cecil Estates (of which Lord Salisbury is a director) have been working with Welwyn Hatfield Council to create new housing in the Green Belt as part of the draft Local Plan.
“Creating an isolated settlement in the Green Belt goes against the core principles of sustainable Local Plan development. Sustainable development means adding housing, where possible, to existing settlements to minimise car usage. Somehow Welwyn Hatfield have translated this into carving up the Green Belt with an isolated settlement...”
John Gardner, Chair Save Symondshyde Campaign
“A large number of sensible councillors from Welwyn Hatfield were horrified at this proposal, which has now gone forward to the next and final stage.”
Councillor Judy Shardlow, Wheathampstead Parish Council
