Post Charrette Paper

As many of you will know, at the beginning of October the Old Hatfield Charrette took place in the Riding School at Hatfield. The Charrette’s purpose was to give the residents of Old Hatfield the opportunity to discuss the problems which the town faces, such as lack of parking, poor quality shopping, open spaces which are neither alluring nor effective, and to consider ways in which the problems could be solved, or at least reduced, and the town might be rejuvenated. People responded very enthusiastically to the opportunity and a series of lively and positive debates took place during the week. I am delighted to present the conclusions of our deliberations.

World-renowned urban planner Andrés Duany led the event, assisted by a specially selected team of highly experienced designers whose areas of expertise were relevant to Old Hatfield’s particular circumstances. Local residents attended general meetings; and smaller groups comprising business owners, planners, Councillors and environment and transport officials came together to discuss specific aspects of the plans.

Working at a great pace throughout the week in response to the ideas and concerns raised during the meetings, the team produced an impressive array of work, including several dozen master plans, diagrams and illustrations, eventually distilling it all into the final conclusions.

Residents showed great enthusiasm for the process and meetings during the week were very well-attended. The design team was presented with comprehensive verbal and written feedback, information on Old Hatfield’s history and letters in which people expressed their vision for the Old Town’s regeneration. This was all extremely helpful to the design team as they strove to turn these ideas into a workable Charrette Proposal.

This paper sets out the work the team undertook during the Charrette, and puts it into the context of Old Hatfield’s history. It presents the design team’s site analyses and draft ideas, together with the final Charrette Proposals, all of which the public saw and approved at the final Charrette presentation on 6th October.

The proposals include plans for the Railway Station, Broadway Market and Salisbury Square, Marychurch Yard, Fore Street Square and St Audrey’s Gate and Coach Park, and, happily, can be introduced either as separate projects over time, or more rapidly and together.

The Charrette also gave people the chance to think about less concrete ways to improve the way we live in the Old Town. One such idea was the formation of an Old Hatfield Steering Group which, amongst other things, could help to maintain the momentum for change started by the Charrette and so enthusiastically and energetically taken up by you all.

I have been delighted by the reaction which the Charrette has provoked and immensely encouraged by the degree to which the residents of Old Hatfield and others who attended have engaged in the process. I very much hope that you will continue to take part, as we move on to the next stages.