Old Town Development

1. Railway Station

The Great North Road and Hatfield Railway Station are major factors in the Charrette's considerations. The Station is well-used and offers a fast connection to London, but the building is unwelcoming, contains virtually no amenities and does not relate in any way to the Old Town's architecture. Access to the Old Town is across the busy A1000 or via an unappealing and hostile underpass. The Station entrance is used not only by cars, but also by taxis, buses, cycles and pedestrians, causing chaos and confusion particularly at peak times.

The Charette Proposals for the Station aim to alleviate the traffic problems, improve parking provision and enhance the link with the Old Town, taking into account the conflicting demands of pedestrian and vehicular use.

Current

The Station building is uninspiring and is separated from Old Hatfield by the Great North Road, with its several lanes of high-speed traffic. There is little landscaping to improve the look of the road or to draw visitors into the Old Town.

Proposed

A new entrance to the Station and an expansion to the Station building are included in the Charrette Proposal. Other features include:

• Landscaping and the construction of a median between the carriageways of the A1000 slow traffic to make it easier for pedestrians to cross safely without using the underpass.
• Both sides of the street are connected by a wide strip of paving across the road going towards the historic gates of Hatfield House. The paving looks different from the road surface and gives the impression of a crossing.
• Separate access for taxis, a bus stop and bus lanes are provided to simplify the traffic movements at the Station entrance.
• Improved parking provision is made by adding an extra deck to the current car park, thereby doubling capacity

2. Broadway Market and Salisbury Square

Salisbury Square lies at the heart of the Old Town and close to the Station. It should, by rights, create an appealing first impression, but it is dull and lacking in interesting shops. The layout of the open space, with its raised area surrounded by brick walls, is unwelcoming and inflexible in terms of how it can be used and, being pedestrianised, the Square seems enclosed and isolated from its neighbouring streets.

The reintroduction of traffic would reconnect the Square with its surroundings and create a sense of bustle and busyness which would attract visitor and retailer alike.

Current

The plan shows the Broadway and Salisbury Square as it is today.

Proposed

The plan illustrates:

• Salisbury Square opened up by reintroducing traffic and replacing the current large but inflexible public space with a small green
• A new car park is situated behind the Square and screened by buildings
• The Broadway car park becomes a flexible space incorporating a new market building, giving opportunities for events such as Christmas Fairs or Farmers' Markets, or providing additional parking for specific town events.

3. Maryhurch Yard

This part of Hatfield is physically somewhat isolated from the rest of Hatfield and rather exposed to the A1000. The houses have limited access to open space and many look out over the car park and the backs of the buildings which enclose Salisbury Square.

The construction of a row of terraced houses would shield the car park from view and a new square to the south of the church would provide a space for community gatherings.

Current

The plan shows the rather isolated and exposed nature of this part of Old Hatfield.

Proposed

The new terrace of houses and the provision of a small square, together with further landscaping along both Batterdale and the A1000, improve the general aspect of this area, creating a more traditional streetscape which integrates the existing houses with the rest of Old Hatfield, whilst providing more pleasing views to the occupants.

4. Queen Elizabeth Square

The gateway to Old Hatfield is currently marked only by a roundabout on the A1000, giving no real indication of having arrived anywhere and with little landscaping and few safe areas for pedestrians. It presents the opportunity to make an impression and draw visitors into the Old Town, perhaps by the creation of a new, treelined Square, named in honour of Queen Elizabeth I, with some additional buildings providing definition to the area and possibly a monument.

Current

A bare area surrounding the roundabout which contains few features of interest.

Proposed

Introduction of Queen Elizabeth Square, an open space surrounded by trees and some newly constructed buildings architecturally in tune with the neighbours and providing opportunity for new business.

5. Dunhams Yard

The proposed redevelopment of Dunhams Courtyard and the garages under the viaduct, adjacent to Park Street and Park Meadow, already has planning consent. The scheme comprises new houses and office buildings in traditional style and forms the first phase of development prior to the restructuring of Salisbury Square. It reinstates the former streetscape from the Great North Road which currently suffers from dereliction in part and from poor quality warehouse-type accommodation in the remainder.

6. Fore Street Square

Fore Street is delightful and well-preserved. It forms a direct link from the centre of the Old Town past St Etheldreda's Church to Hatfield House and, as a result, is welltrodden by visitors. The aim is to protect the current buildings and the character of the area, while introducing additional open space, more parking for residents and improving the views of several historic houses.

Current

The plan shows the densely inhabited, traditional layout of the Street.

Proposed

The opportunity exists to introduce a new square opposite the main gates of St Etheldreda's Church. The Square provides a new open space and improves pedestrian access by linking Fore Street to Park Close.

7. St Audrey's Gate and Coach Park

Frequent damage to the main gates of Hatfield House in recent years has shown beyond doubt that they are not suitable for use by modern coaches.

As well as protecting the main gates, there are other clear benefits from the relocation of the access for coaches to the new coach park to be constructed to the rear of St Audrey's Nursing Home and accessed from Church Lane. They include:

• Easing traffic congestion opposite the Station, both at peak times and generally
• The traffic in the evening to and from the Estate will be directed via St Audrey's Gate rather than through Church Street
• Protecting the viaduct from the eventual effects of prolonged battering by heavy traffic
• Reducing visitor traffic through Old Hatfield, particularly in Park Street
• The choice of site - currently a field which is part of Hatfield Park land - represents an improvement for the majority of Old Hatfield residents
• The opportunity to draw visitors who arrive by coach through the centre of Old Hatfield as they embark on a loop-shaped pedestrian tour.

Current

The St Audrey's Gate area and the field have been identified as the site of the Coach Park.

Proposed

The Coach Park which is shielded from immediate view by existing buildings along Church Lane and a band of trees. Additional hedges and woodland areas will be planted as part of the scheme.

8. Church Hall

There was great enthusiasm throughout the Charrette for a community hall which could act as a central meeting place for local activity groups. Rather than construct a new building, it was felt that the existing Church Hall might be refurbished and made more widely available for local residents and businesses to hire. It was agreed that the Church and Estate would explore this idea.