Garden Square Shopping Centre in Letchworth, Hertfordshire, could be demolished and replaced with up to 240 homes under major redevelopment plans being prepared by developer Regent Street Projects Ltd.
The centre has suffered from declining footfall and high numbers of empty units in recent years. The proposed development would also include 1,859 square metres of shops and food outlets, ensuring retail remains part of the site. Public open space, a community plot, new pedestrian links and other infrastructure are also included in the plans.
Phased Development Over Five Years
The 1.54-hectare site sits in the heart of Letchworth between Gernon Road, Leys Avenue and Eastcheap. However, the redevelopment would not happen all at once.
Planning consultancy Lanpro, acting for Regent Street Projects Ltd, said: “The proposed development will be delivered in phases over approximately five years to ensure the continued operation of parts of the existing shopping centre and reduce the impact on the town centre.”
Conservation Area Considerations
The site is within the Letchworth Conservation Area, meaning its special character will have to be considered as part of the redevelopment. Letchworth is known for its Garden City origins, with its character shaped by planned streets, distinctive buildings, greenery and open spaces.
Lanpro said: “Accordingly, new development will be designed to respond positively to these defining characteristics and preserve or enhance the special character and appearance of the Letchworth Conservation Area, whilst respecting the principles of the garden city.”
Car-Light Design and Cycle Spaces
The scheme is expected to be largely car-light, with relatively few parking spaces and access to a car club. Around 400 long-stay cycle spaces would be created for residents, alongside another 20 short-stay spaces for the public. The new homes are expected to generate little additional traffic from residents.
Lanpro said: “Due to the nature of the site being an existing shopping centre, the area within and surrounding it has been designed to be highly accessible to pedestrians. It is proposed that the scheme would be accessed via the four existing pedestrian access points into the site.”
The shopping centre's multistorey car park is also part of the wider plans. In April, North Herts Council agreed to give up its lease on the Garden Square multistorey car park despite it not being due to expire until 2037. Part of the car park is expected to provide parking for residents of the new development.
A transport assessment will be submitted as part of the future planning application. The Express has reached out to the Garden Square Shopping Centre for a comment.
