Regeneration of John Barker Place

We’re planning an exciting redevelopment of John Barker Place on the Westmill estate in Hitchin.

It will include new homes, shops and a new play area. The first 2 phases will include new homes for residents in Freemans Close and the nearby Westmill Lawns retirement complex, enabling them to continue living safely and comfortably in the area they’re familiar with.

Take a look at an artists impression:

Progress so far

We submitted two planning applications for this redevelopment – one for the new homes and shops on John Barker and a separate planning application for a new children's play area on the edge of Swinburne playing fields.

The applications were unanimously approved at the meeting of the planning committee on Thursday 23 January. We have completed the first stage of this work, providing the new children’s play area which is now open, and we are on track for development of the new homes and shops to begin later this year. We will keep this web page updated with details as the development progresses.