The History of Welwyn
About 40 kms North of London, in Hertfordshire, Welwyn sits in the valley of the River Mimram which is one of only 220 chalk streams in the world. Chalk streams are one of England’s rarest habitats, with classic ‘Wind in the Willows’ characteristics.
An ancient crossing point existed in Welwyn since Iron Age times and the Romans built villas, bath houses, and cemetaries here.
The original Great North Road from London to York was routed through Welwyn which before the development of railways became famous as a staging post with coaching inns. The A1(M) Motorway is now close by, and the main London (Kings Cross) to Edinburgh railway runs parallel through Digswell across the famous viaduct.
The Objectives of the Welwyn Planning & Amenity Group (WPAG)
Since 1964 WPAG has been monitoring and lobbying to improve amenities throughout the Parish of Welwyn to maintain the unique character of the three settlements of Welwyn itself, Digswell, and Mardley Heath and Oaklands.
The Parish of Welwyn has a population of approximately 10,000 and about 5000 homes spread across three villages:
Working in the Community
We are a non-political, voluntary group and Registered Charity No 272277.
The WPAG are not bound by local government rules and as a result we are more nimble and more proactive in pursuing issues and benefits for the local community.
As a major consultee, WPAG is actively involved in issues which include:
The Welwyn Hatfield Borough’s ‘Local Plan’: Currently WPAG are lobbying the Local Plan to avoid over-development of Welwyn, which has already had considerable development in recent years leading inevitably to increases in households and traffic with no associated improvements to local infrastructure.
The Neighbourhood Plan
WPAG are very involved in developing the proposed Neighbourhood Plan.
Village Green Project
WPAG are actively supporting the current project to declare Singlers Marsh with ‘Village Green’ status.
Monitoring: On many issues, including the regular evaluation of local Planning Applications, WPAG liaise and cooperate with Welwyn Parish Council (WPC), our Borough and County Councillors and our MP.
In 2008 we reached agreement with the Welwyn Parish Council (WPC) for two WPAG members to be co-opted as non-voting members of the WPC Planning & Licensing Committee.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
You can help by keeping up to date and supporting our work.
We try to keep our expenses as low as possible but occasionally we need more funds to support our activities. WPAG publish free occasional Newsletters and email updates, but our only income is from supporters who make an annual donation of £6. We rely absolutely on these donations to be able to continue protecting your villages.
To support WPAG please go to the Donations page.
To receive occasional Free Newsletters and email updates on issues go to the Free Newsletters page.
If you would like to be actively involved, please email . We look forward to hearing from you.
Privacy – Respecting your information
The information that you give to Welwyn Planning & Amenity Group is to help them contact you and keep you up to date.