Now known as DeHavilland Park, Homes England describes the Welwyn Garden City scheme as of “high importance” with the ability to make a significant contribution towards the delivery of much needed new homes in the area.

The 135 acre site has been sold to Bellway with the deal agreed by the development team at Savills in Cambridge.

Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council has previously approved planning for 860 residential properties to be built at DeHavilland Park – 30% of which will be affordable.  

Bellway will deliver 760 homes, with two serviced parcels of land earmarked for 50 homes each handed back to Homes England for future sales.

The proposals for the site also include retirement accommodation, a primary school, traveller pitches, a new community centre,  retail facilities, open space, allotments and associated access/landscaping works.

Joe Last, associate in the development team at Savills Cambridge, said the scheme has the potential to deliver sustainable growth in the shape of high quality housing, retail and community uses.

“DeHavilland Park represents a unique opportunity for a high quality, low density urban extension with an emphasis on design and placemaking,” he said.

“We had strong interest in the site from a number of parties and are delighted to have agreed a deal with Bellway – signalling the start of an important scheme that will significantly contribute to the supply of much-needed new homes in Hertfordshire and the wider East of England.”

Ali Maruf, Bellway North London managing director, said: “We are proud to have been chosen by Homes England as its preferred partner to deliver this hugely important development which will bring much-needed new homes to the Welwyn Garden City area.

“With the land purchase now secured, we will be liaising with the local authority to formulate our detailed plans to transform the former Panshanger Aerodrome into a brand-new neighbourhood. This exciting regeneration project will not only deliver new housing but will also provide a new school and other new facilities which will benefit the community as a whole.”  

Neil Miller, head of disposals for the south at Homes England, said: “We are delighted to have secured Bellway as our partner to deliver this hugely significant scheme for both Homes England and Welwyn Hatfield. Having previously invested in land acquisition to unlock landowner co-ordination issues and securing outline planning for the site, we now look forward to working with Bellway and the local authority to develop detailed plans that meet the aspirations of the outline permission for 860 new homes, community infrastructure and open space whilst focussing on design, quality and placemaking.” 

Panshanger Aerodrome was previously used as a decoy for the De Havilland aviation factory in Hatfield during World War II. It was then later used as a civic airfield for light aircraft.