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Letter To Ruth Kelly
Welwyn Hatfield
Council
Heritage of the Borough
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Welwyn Garden City is world-famous. Delightful through its
architecture in ensemble, its principal historic significance lies in
its planning,- an exemplar of the visionary physical, social and
cultural ideals of their period. In planning terms the level of
significance is global, attracting visitors from many countries.
Similarly Hatfield and every other
settlement within The Borough, from Woolmer Green in the north to Little
Heath in the south, have their own special and valued physical, social,
cultural and aesthetic heritage that must be safeguarded from
indiscriminate or ill-considered change. This Government proposal for
change which is now before us is blatantly both indiscriminate and
ill-considered.
This is not sustainable development. Sustainable development is one
which meets the needs of the present, without compromising the ability
of future generations to meet their own needs. We need decent homes yes,
but as human beings we also have higher needs. Our environment would be
compromised, our heritage would be compromised, values and standards and
the quality of life within The Borough would inevitably be degraded.
Do we really need to destroy our precious heritage, carefully shaped and
nurtured and cherished down the years, in order to make way for a huge
sprawl of new homes. The Town & Country Planning Association, founded by
Ebenezer Howard in 1899 and still planning champions, can suggest better
methods of residential development. The Government inspectors, the
Panel, should go and speak with, and learn from them.
Decisions about change must be reasonable and transparent say English
Heritage. The weight to be attached to heritage values in making such
decisions should be proportionate to the significance of those values to
society. The value attributed to the Green Belt by the society of Welwyn
Hatfield Borough is manifestly clear. It is highly significant.
Our precious Green Belt. One of the founders of Welwyn Garden City
wrote,- “ This rural belt surrounds the town like the walls of a
medieval city. It limits its boundaries, protects it from the attack of
other towns, and preserves its shape and style.” The shape and style of
the place where we live is so very important to us in our everyday
lives, and very much influences the quality of those lives. And of
course, so-called infill sites will most certainly come under additional
pressure. Very often these sites contribute significantly to the
character and appearance and pleasantness of their local environment.
Very often the new development degrades that environment.
A village or green town of human scale can be a harmonious place . It
can be united in ecological balance both with itself and with the
environment that embraces it. “ Human society and the beauty of nature
are meant to be enjoyed together,“ wrote Howard. This must be the way
forward in the 21st century. The Borough of Welwyn Hatfield could
proudly lead the way, and shall proudly lead the way.
(End).
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