Your Vote Matters: Support your new Neighbourhood Plan at the forthcoming elections

Please take part in the upcoming referendum vote on Welwyn Parish’s new Neighbourhood Plan on 7th May — a plan created by local people, for our community.

Public Information Meeting

If you would like to know more about what is in the Neighbourhood Plan come to the Public Information Meeting on Tuesday, 28th April at 7.30pm in the Welwyn Civic Centre Small Hall. The meeting is being chaired by WPAG and speakers will include members of the Working Party who have developed the Plan.

What is a Neighbourhood Plan? It is a community-led document that helps shape how Welwyn Parish develops in the years ahead. By approving this Neighbourhood Plan it allows us to have a real say in where new homes, shops, and facilities are built, what they look like, and how Welwyn Parish grows in the years ahead.

Once approved, it becomes part of the official planning framework, meaning it must be taken into account when Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council (or its successor) makes decisions on planning applications.

What are the benefits of having a Neighbourhood Plan in place?

• It gives our community a stronger voice in local development decisions
• It helps ensure new building projects reflect the character and needs of our area
• It protects important community assets and green spaces, like Singlers Marsh and Mardley Heath
• It supports improvements to local infrastructure, transport and amenities
• By having an approved Plan it ensures that we receive the maximum amount towards Welwyn Parish infrastructure from the levy that developers have to pay (SIL).

Most importantly, it ensures that the people who live here have clearly indicated the way that they want change to happen.

This plan has been shaped through consultation and input from local residents by Welwyn Parish Council supported by many local individuals including WPAG.

Now it’s your opportunity to have your say.

Voting details:

• Date: 7^th May, 2026 or by post in advance
• Voting papers. You will receivea separate voting paper for the Neighbourhood Plan referendum at the same time as you receive your ballot papers for the Local Elections.

Please take a few minutes to vote and support a plan that puts our community first.

If you would like to read what is in Welwyn’s Neighbourhood Plan, please visit https://welwyn-pc.gov.uk/neighbourhood-plan-site/

Thank you for your time and for helping shape the future of our Parish