WHBC Cabinet to receive report on findings of leisure and wellbeing consultation

A public consultation carried out by Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council (WHBC) has found that, while there is support for improved leisure facilities in Welwyn Garden City, opinion is divided on whether Panshanger Golf Club should be explored further as a possible site.

The Council launched the consultation in July to understand residents’ views on the need for new and improved leisure facilities and whether the current Panshanger Golf Course site could help meet those needs. The town does not currently have its own public swimming pool, and demand for swimming, indoor sports and leisure facilities is expected to continue to grow.

The site was identified as a potential option because it is council-owned and early feasibility work suggested it could accommodate the leisure facilities and help fund their delivery, alongside new homes including social rented homes. No decision had been made, and the Council wanted residents’ views before considering the proposal any further.

At its meeting on 11 August, the WHBC Cabinet will receive a report on the consultation findings. Cabinet Members will be asked to note a recommendation that the Panshanger Golf Club proposal is not progressed and that the site is not allocated within Regulation 19 of the draft Local Plan.

The report to Cabinet can be found on the Council’s website

Councillor Max Holloway, Executive Member for Community and Leisure said:

“I want to say a huge thank you to everyone who took the time to fill out our survey, chat with us at the drop-in sessions or send us an email with your views. From the very start, this was about listening to you and finding out what our community wants. It's really clear that people in Welwyn Garden City want to see new leisure facilities, especially a swimming pool. However, there was no clear support for the Panshanger Golf Club site, alongside some concern about new homes.

Housing was only ever considered as a potential way to help fund the new facilities and upgrade existing ones. Because there is no clear backing from residents for this location, we won't be taking the Panshanger proposal any further. Supporting healthy, active lives remains a huge priority for the Council, as does making sure people have access to good homes, including council homes for local residents which this proposal would have delivered. We’re going to keep working to find the right ways to deliver both for our borough.”

Councillor Sandreni Bonfante, Deputy Leader of the Council and Executive Member for Climate Change said:

“As a Cabinet, we have listened to and carefully considered the views and thoughts of residents from across the borough on the Panshanger Golf Club proposal.  We note and accept the recommendation that this proposal should not be progressed.  I would also like to thank everyone that completed the survey or attended the drop-in sessions.”