Hatfield House is undoubtedly one of England’s most distinguished historic houses. Yet it also serves as the centrepiece of a dynamic and evolving estate that continues to bring lasting economic and social benefits to central Hertfordshire and beyond.

The Estate is not a static monument to the past—it is a living entity. We believe that preservation must be balanced with progress. Without evolution, decline is inevitable.

In recent years, the Estate has championed sustainable, community-led growth across Hertfordshire. Our goal is to safeguard what is best about the area while enhancing it with thoughtfully designed new homes, high-quality public spaces, and vibrant locations for businesses. These developments will support jobs, provide much-needed housing, and strengthen local communities for generations to come.

We do not just advocate for good planning—we actively participate in it. Over the last decade, the Estate has carefully and sensitively developed the area surrounding Hatfield House, including its visitor amenities and parts of Old Hatfield, with a view to creating enduring value.

As part of our design-led approach, Gascoyne Estates has produced a comprehensive suite of design codes and pattern books to guide future development in Hertfordshire. These materials ensure that new projects reflect and reinforce a distinct sense of place by drawing on the area’s architectural heritage.

Key principles of our placemaking strategy include:

  1. Public Squares and Public Realm
    Our vision incorporates a wide variety of public spaces—parks, greens, squares, and sports pitches. Beyond green spaces, we create lively, semi-public areas designed for social interaction, often located near shops and higher-density neighbourhood centres.
  2. Greens
    Drawing inspiration from traditional Hertfordshire villages like the Ayots, Codicote, and Towns like Welwyn Garden City, our developments feature characterful green spaces integrated into street networks—such as the new village green introduced at Mill Green complete with a traditional village sign.
  3. Terminated Vistas
    In the tradition of Letchworth, Welwyn Garden City, and Hertford, we place civic buildings along key sightlines to create strong visual focal points. This approach, used at Ascots Green and Coopers Green, fosters civic pride and community identity.
  4. Neighbourhood Shops
    While most retail space in Hertfordshire is found in established centres, we also integrate corner shops, cafés, and community buildings within residential areas. These reduce car dependency and ensure essential services are within walking distance.

OUR DEVELOPMENTS

Ascots Green, a development of 340 new homes, will see the first residents moving in this Autumn.  Over the next 5 years, in addition to the new homes, Ascots Green will deliver a new Cricket clubhouse and grounds, a community pavilion and café situated in a new public square. 

At Coopers Green, we are delivering a new neighbourhood comprising 2,000 homes and 150,000 sq. ft. of employment space—an extension of the established Hatfield Garden Village. This development includes primary and secondary schools, community and civic buildings, leisure facilities, new roads, and generous landscaping, creating a critical mass to support local amenities.  Works on phase 1 are anticipated to commence in the next 2 years.

We are also seeking delivery partners for the Hatfield Innovation Campus—an ambitious project featuring 400,000 sq. ft. of commercial space and accommodation for key workers.

Proposals for a longer-term pipeline of growth is being promoted in several Hertfordshire Authorities Local Plans.  In total, Gascoyne is set to deliver 4,000 homes and 500,000 sq. ft. of employment space over the next 20 years. All projects are guided by our Sustainable Development Brief, ensuring low-carbon buildings both in design and operation, minimising embodied and operational carbon.

Upcoming schemes, including Ascots Green in Welwyn Garden City, will be fossil fuel free and rooted in holistic sustainability principles, incorporating community infrastructure and sustainable transport options, such as E-Car clubs.

DELIVERING SUSTAINABLE GROWTH ACROSS HERTFORDSHIRE

At Ascots Green, a new community of 340 homes, the first residents will move in this autumn. Over the next five years, the development will also deliver a new cricket clubhouse and grounds, a community pavilion, and a café—all centred around a vibrant new public square designed to foster local connection and activity.

At Coopers Green, we are bringing forward a major new neighbourhood of 2,000 homes and 150,000 sq. ft. of employment space—forming a natural extension to the established Hatfield Garden Village. The scheme will feature new primary and secondary schools, community and civic buildings, leisure facilities, new infrastructure, and extensive green spaces. Together, these elements will create the critical mass needed to support local shops, cafés, and services. Construction of Phase 1 is expected to commence within the next two years.

We are also actively seeking delivery partners for the Hatfield Innovation Campus—a landmark project comprising 400,000 sq. ft. of high-quality commercial space and dedicated accommodation for key workers. This development will be a cornerstone of Central Hertfordshire’s future as a hub for enterprise and innovation.

Looking ahead, we are promoting a longer-term pipeline of strategic growth across multiple Hertfordshire local authorities. In total, Gascoyne Estates is set to deliver approximately 4,000 new homes and 500,000 sq. ft. of employment space over the next 20 years.

All of our developments are underpinned by our Sustainable Development Brief, ensuring that every project meets high standards of environmental performance. Our buildings are designed to be low-carbon both in construction and in operation, helping to reduce embodied and operational carbon in line with best practice.

SOCIAL STEWARDSHIP

Environmental responsibility must be matched by positive social impact. We are committed to creating enduring, high-quality places to live, work, and visit.

We see ourselves as long-term custodians of the land, delivering community stewardship that is among the best in the country. Our purpose—Growing lasting social and commercial value for the communities we serve—is shaped by our heritage, our focus on quality, and our commitment to putting people first. It is the reason Gascoyne exists.

Unlike publicly listed companies, we are not beholden to short-term shareholder interests. This independence enables us to invest in community wellbeing and environmental initiatives as core components of our business model.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Community engagement is at the heart of our placemaking philosophy. For over 20 years, Gascoyne Estates have initiated and supported events that explore the future of growth, sustainability, and local development.

Our preferred engagement tool is the charrette—a collaborative design workshop that brings together a wide range of stakeholders for open and inclusive dialogue.

In partnership with the University of Hertfordshire, we have run community-led design charrettes in Hatfield. These sessions have shaped masterplans for new homes and influenced wider strategic thinking through our Gascoyne Places programme.

The charrettes have also led conversations on transport, workspace, land use, and local enterprise. We continue to work closely with local and regional authorities to advance shared priorities for the region.

OUR VISION

Our business is deeply embedded in the communities we serve, and with that comes a strong sense of responsibility. We are open, collaborative, and proactive—and we welcome partners who share our long-term vision.

Meet us at UKREiiF 2025 in Leeds, from 20–22 May, where we’ll be exhibiting with Invest Hertfordshire.

Find us at Stand J30, Royal Armouries Hall, or join us at the Meet Hertfordshire’s Place Pioneers session on Wednesday, 21 May, from 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm at the SCAPE Public Sector Stage.

by Rachael Elwin, Senior Development Manager - Strategic Land, Gascoyne Estates