Consultation launched on future of Letchworth

Letchworth Garden City Heritage Foundation has announced a new consultation on the future of the world’s first garden city.

The Foundation, which works to maintain and enhance Letchworth, is planning for the future growth of the town, and wants to engage residents in a conversation about the areas that matter to them.

The Foundation says that planning for sustainable growth – in line with Ebenezer Howard’s Garden City Principles – will provide opportunities for new housing, local investment and improvements to local infrastructure.

The North Herts Local Plan includes policies which means that Letchworth will change over coming years, including growth in the amount of housing in the town. So the Foundation is now consulting on what it’s like to live in Letchworth and whether there is anything residents think could improve the town – with a focus on housing, transport, design and the economy, before looking at future development sites in more detail through further consultation in 2019.

To assist with shaping the development of these sites, the Foundation and its partners are also carrying out research into the housing needs of local people and have prepared a survey about affordable housing. This is to ensure there’s a clear understanding of local housing requirements. The short response form can be completed here

The Foundation has launched a website at letchworthgardencity.commonplace.is which allows people to provide views about specific areas – and how these can be improved – using an interactive map. The website also has information about upcoming surgeries, as well as pop-events at:

  1. Standalone Farm – Saturday 27th October 2018
  2. Arts and Crafts Festival, Leys Avenue – Saturday 3rd November 2018
  3. The Arcade – Thursday 15th November 2018
  4. Eastcheap – Tuesday 20th November 2018
  5. Broadway Cinema – Monday 3rd December 2018

They are also providing updates via their Twitter profile @LGCConsultation

David Ames, Executive Director for Stewardship & Development at Letchworth Garden City Foundation said: “The first part of our consultation asks about anything to do with life in our unique town. We'll listen carefully to responses, so we can capture the benefits of new development and improve Letchworth for local people. We encourage everyone to join the conversation, so we can understand Letchworth’s needs while staying true to our founding principles."