Following a sell-out event at UKREiiF in 2024, Invest Hertfordshire is returning to the SCAPE Public Sector Stage, Royal Armouries on Wednesday 21 May, 3.30-4.30pm with a stellar panel from across the built environment sector. Attendees will hear from house builders, land managers and digital experts on how Hertfordshire can trailblaze future development.

The Hertfordshire panel comprises:
• Rob Chesworth, Head of Strategic Land, The Crown Estate
• Rachael Elwin, Senior Development Manager, Strategic Land, Gascoyne Estates
• Linda Chandler, Digital Place Expert and BRE Trustee
• Dan Wilson, Senior Planning Manager, Cala Homes (North Homes Counties)
• Neil Hayes, CEO, Hertfordshire Futures, Panel Chair

Hertfordshire has a global reputation for place-making spanning over 100 years. It is home to the world’s first Garden Cities, Letchworth Garden City (1903) followed by Welwyn Garden City (1920); Stevenage was the UK’s first designated New Town in 1946, followed by Hemel Hempstead in 1947 and Welwyn Garden City/Hatfield in 1948. In the heart of a housing hotspot. Hertfordshire is also home to major construction companies, housebuilders and the Building Research Establishment (BRE), market leaders in sustainability certification, including BREAAM.

With a countywide commitment to create 100,000 new homes and jobs over the next 15-20 years to support its growing 1.2m population, Hertfordshire is bringing forward a range of new developmentsincluding two new Garden Towns – Hemel Garden Communities and Harlow Gilston on the west and east of the county. Each are on track to deliver 10,000 homes and jobs. 

The Crown Estate is developing a new 1.8 million sq. ft business park, just off junction 8 of the M1 as part of its wider allocation at East Hemel, which will also deliver 4,000 new homes, four new schools and a country park within the Hemel Garden Communities growth area.

The Hemel Garden Communities Programme will create attractive, sustainable new neighbourhoods to the north and east of Hemel Hempstead by 2050. It includes Hertfordshire Innovation Quarter (Herts IQ) enterprise zone at its heart, anchoring the transformation of Hemel Hempstead and the wider area. The Crown Estate’s site at East Hemel is just one of the organisation’s projects that is seeking to support national, regional and local economic growth as part of its wider strategy.

Gascoyne Estates is bringing forward a major residential-led development at Coopers Green, Hatfield, with 2,000 new homes and 150,000 sq. ft. of employment space to support and enhance the existing Hatfield Garden Village. Coopers Green will also see the development of primary and secondary schools, with enhanced leisure facilities, community and civic buildings, new roads, landscaping and open space – whilst bringing in the critical mass required to support local shops, cafés or restaurant. This is expected to be completed by 2035. 

The Estate is seeking partners to deliver the Hatfield Innovation Campus, a landmark development featuring 400,000 sq. ft. of commercial space and key worker accommodation. Additionally, the Estate is promoting a new village at Symondshyde Farm, along with opportunities for solar energy and biodiversity net gain (BNG) across central Hertfordshire.

Other major developments include:
• Station Gateway, Stevenage: mixed-use regeneration of up to 30 acres of land around Stevenage railway station in the heart of the town centre with a gross development value (GDV) of £1bn;
• Elevate Quarter, Stevenage: 1.6m sq. ft. of R&D and manufacturing space for life science companies 
on the existing Gunnels Wood Road campus with a GDV of £900m;
• Greater Brookfield Project, Broxbourne: Brookfield Garden Village (BGV) is the residential component of the Greater Brookfield project, which also includes the new town centre, Brookfield Riverside. Together they have a combined GDV of £1.1bn.
 
Melanie Miller, Hertfordshire Futures inward investment manager, said: “I am really excited that we have brought together such a diverse range of views to give a 360-degree perspective on what good and responsible growth means. This debate will look beyond bricks and mortar to give concrete examples of how we are working together to drive positive social impact for our local communities and ensure Hertfordshire fully leverages its place pioneering past for future generations.”

Dan Wilson, Senior Planning Manager at Cala Homes (North Home Counties) said: “I am delighted to attend UKREiiF 2025 and to join the Invest Hertfordshire Panel. The county holds a unique position being home to the world’s first Garden City, a leader in the UK’s thriving film industry and is steeped in extensive Roman history with breathtaking countryside. It is for these reasons that Hertfordshire is important to Cala Homes, as there is an abundance of opportunities for sustainable growth and sensitive development. Hertfordshire is unmatched when it comes to quality of life, access to major businesses, high standards of educational excellence, skills and strong political leadership.”

The Hertfordshire Infrastructure and Development Board (HIDB)— a membership organisation which brings together over 100 private and public sector members from across Hertfordshire— will sponsor the drinks and networking session after the event. Established in 2021 by the Hertfordshire Growth Board, HIDB brings the county’s political, civic, health and business leadership together to deliver sustainable economic growth and high quality placemaking.

Neil Hayes, CEO Hertfordshire Futures and Interim Director, Hertfordshire Growth Board, said: “UKREiiF provides an ideal platform to showcase how Hertfordshire’s public and private sectors are working hand-in-hand to deliver high-quality, sustainable growth — not just through new homes and infrastructure, but by generating jobs, creating economic opportunities and delivering meaningful social impact. From Harlow and Gilston Garden Town to the pioneering DC01UK data centre in Hertsmere, we’re looking forward to highlighting Herts’ shared ambition and joined-up approach to delivering sustainable growth.”

The Invest Hertfordshire stand will be at J30, Royal Armouries. To book an appointment in advance with Invest Hertfordshire during UKREiiF please email: melanie.miller@hertfordshirefutures.co.uk