Case Studies, Planning Applications
Heritage Assets, Residential Development

Waller Planning led a multi-disciplinary team in preparing proposals for the redevelopment of a site in Hatfield, which contained a single-storey commercial vehicle dealership. The site sits next-door to a Grade II listed gatehouse which was built in the 1930s, and originally served the De Havilland Aircraft Company’s airfield and factory. Three further listed buildings which formed part of that complex also remain, with the Grade II listed former offices and mess buildings close-by and facing Comet Way, and a Grade II* listed former aircraft hanger to the west, on Tamblin Way. The site also sits around 2km away from the Grade I listed buildings in Old Hatfield, including Hatfield House.

Working with Bryant and Moore Architects, we developed proposals for an apartment block on the site. We commissioned Heritage Collective to undertake an assessment of the effect this would have both on the nearby listed buildings, and also any potential effect on the setting of the Grade I listed buildings in Old Hatfield, which included taking photographs from the roof of Hatfield House. We then engaged Welwyn Hatfield Council in pre-application discussions, presenting various design options.

Through these pre-application discussions, we established a consensus with Officers that a building which stepped up from four storeys (closest to the listed Gatehouse), to seven at the far side of the site, would be acceptable. It was agreed that this would not have an unacceptable effect on the setting and significance of the listed buildings, or the character of the wider area, which contains other buildings of similar height. We also commissioned evidence to demonstrate to Officers that the apartments could be adequately ventilated and the potential for overheating in summer.

Officers supported the subsequent planning application, and planning permission was granted following support from the Planning Committee. The approved design will provide 118 apartments, at a density of around 250 dwellings per hectare.

Aerial visualisation of the scheme.

Visualisation of the scheme from the side.

Visualisation of the scheme from Comet Way.

Visualisation of the scheme from the rear.