Hertfordshire Property Partnership secures funding for redevelopment of temporary accommodation site in Welwyn

Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council (WHBC) is set to receive £243,000 from the Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) as part of the government’s £68m initiative to unlock brownfield sites for housing development. This funding will enable the Council to modernise Howlands House in Welwyn Garden City, used to provide temporary accommodation for local individuals and families who are homeless.

Howlands House provides temporary accommodation for local residents waiting to be assessed or given alternative housing due to homelessness but now, over 40 years after its construction, the site is in poor condition and the current design does not meet modern standards. Redeveloping this accommodation has been an aspiration for WHBC for some time, however, the viability of the scheme has been a challenge due to increasing building costs.  The additional government funding allows the scheme to progress to the next stage and will aid the overall viability of the proposed redevelopment.

The site is due to be developed as part of WHBC’s Affordable Housing Programme and the additional £243K funding, secured by WHBC as part of the Hertfordshire Property Partnership (HPP) through HM Government’s Brownfield Land Release Fund (BLRF2), will help to bring forward the project’s delivery date. The proposed new scheme will provide more welcoming temporary accommodation properties as well as a staff office, children’s play area, parking and associated landscaping.

HPP has worked with district and borough councils to successfully secure over £2.6 million in BLRF funding from government overall. The money will be used across seven sites in Hertfordshire with two already completed. The remaining five sites are expected to deliver approximately 662 homes and are all part of regeneration projects in the county.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasised the government’s commitment to a brownfield-first approach to housebuilding, stating, “This funding for councils will see disused sites and industrial wastelands transformed into thousands of new homes in places that people want to live and work.

“Our brownfield-first approach will not only ramp up housebuilding but also create more jobs, deliver much-needed infrastructure, and boost economic growth across the country.”

Housing and Planning Minister Matthew Pennycook added, “The funding announced today will support the delivery of thousands of new homes and boost economic growth by unlocking development on scores of abandoned, disused, and neglected urban sites across the country.”

Cllr Max Holloway, Leader, Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council said: “Supporting and preventing homelessness and the provision of affordable homes are priorities for WHBC. It’s great to receive this funding from the Government which will help us bring forward the delivery of a key project in our Affordable Housing Programme – and importantly provide for better temporary accommodation for local people in their time of need.

“Howlands House is an important development and this funding will mean that we are able to continue to provide security and respite for local families at times of huge distress and uncertainty.”

Sajida Bijle, Chief Executive, Hertsmere Borough Council and Chair of HPP said: “Securing over £2.6 million in BLRF funding represents a significant achievement for the Hertfordshire Property Partnership. This collaboration with district and borough councils is set to transform seven key sites across the county, with two projects already completed. The remaining four sites will deliver approximately 662 homes, contributing to the ongoing regeneration efforts within Hertfordshire. This funding is a testament to our collaborative working across Hertfordshire and beyond with a clear commitment to infrastructure as well as providing much needed housing solutions. This is particularly important in Hertfordshire, where land values are very high, and affordability is well below the national average.”

Cllr Jeremy Newmark, Chair of the Hertfordshire Growth Board: “This injection of funds by the government, including £243,000 for Welwyn Hatfield, is fantastic news for Hertfordshire as a whole. It’s an investment in meeting the county’s housing needs, ensuring we have the infrastructure to support families and individuals in need, while revitalising a key area. This will only bolster the extent to which Hertfordshire contributes to the national growth mission.”

Angie Ridgwell, Chief Executive, Hertfordshire County Council said: “The modernisation of Howlands House marks a significant step forward in addressing our local housing needs. This funding will provide quality temporary accommodation and also support regeneration of the area for the community to enjoy.”