Welwyn Hatfield Year in Review: August 2023

1. From Borehamwood to Potters Bar: Herts areas close to ULEZ

Transport for London's plans to expand the Ultra-Low Emission Zone into parts of Hertfordshire had more than 10,000 Welwyn Hatfield readers clicking through to find out how this would impact them. 

The zone will expanded on Tuesday, August 29, covering every London borough, and edging ever closer to our borders, bringing a £12.50 per day charge for anyone with a non-exempt vehicle. 

The ULEZ would now cover Barnet, with its edge touching Rickmansworth, the outskirts of Watford, Borehamwood, the interior of the M25 at Potters Bar, Waltham Cross and Waltham Abbey, spelling costly impacts for our readers who commute into London via car.

2. Popular Welwyn village restaurant Aqua 'permanently closes'

In August, we said goodbye to a much-loved Welwyn restaurant, Aqua, with owners stating: "We would like to thank everybody for their support and custom over the years.

"The restaurant will soon be under new ownership and will be reopening shortly, offering similar fantastic service and delicious cuisine."

But, foodies didn't have to wait too long for the next independent, family-run restaurant to move in, as Roy's Restaurant set up shop at the High Street unit.

Having only opened in August, Roy's has already earned itself a five star rating on TripAdvisor, and was described as a 'potential gem for Welwyn' in one review. 

3. Plans for new Welwyn Garden City homes next to historic pub

Proposals submitted by Style Building Services to build five new homes next to The Beehive in Welwyn Garden City ruffled some feathers in August.

Campaigners against the development in a conservation area were outspoken in their thoughts around the plans, which would see the building of five new homes off Beehive Lane, with associated access, car parking and amenity space.

A small building on the land would be demolished as part of the plans, with the development sitting next to the former Beehive pub.

Together for WGC, a campaign group, spoke out, saying: "The site is within the Beehive Conservation Area, and opposite some well-spaced houses from the 1950s that are the archetype for much Garden City design.

"However the planned new homes are of a completely different design. They would be fine for somewhere else, but not here.

"They are crammed together, which is totally different from the homes on the other side of the road. Furthermore, the so-called front gardens are just two parking spaces each, lacking greenery, and lacking a front hedge."

As it stands, the planning application has been called in to the planning inspector, due to a major objection.

4. TikToker reviews Welwyn Garden City after visiting town

Back in August, a TikToker described Welwyn Garden City as "good and s***" after paying a visit to the town.

Content creator m.combe07, who has 110,000 followers and 6.3 million likes on the platform, posted the five-minute video as part of his "most tired area in the UK?" series.

He was immediately shocked upon his arrival at the station, entering the Howard Centre and saying: "I'm just at the station, I walk out, and I'm at the shopping centre. What?

M.combe07 visited Welwyn Garden City for his most tired area in the UK series (Image: MC/TikTok/Newsquest)"These guys did not give me any time to settle down, chill out. No, you're right there."

He then went on to question the number of shops and shoppers in the Howard Centre, and question how "s***" Welwyn Garden City must be if M&S chose to relocate to Stevenage. 

"If there's only this many people in the shopping centre, you can tell this area is dry. I'm just seeing shop shutters," he continued.

5. A-level and GCSE results 

Every year we celebrate the achievements of young people going through their GCSEs and A-levels, and schools weren't short of exceptional achievements in 2023.

On August 17, A-level students across the country collected their results. 

There were smiles all round at Welwyn Garden City's Ridgeway Academy. Headteacher Sarah Mitcherson said: "Well done and congratulations to all students receiving their A-level and Vocational results today, a reflection of their hard work and dedication to study."

Ridgeway Academy pupils on A-level results day 2023 (Image: Ridgeway Academy)

Also celebrating were Queenswood School pupils in Brookmans Park. Almost a third of grades were A*-A, with a fifth of students achieving at least three A*-A grades, while 100 per cent of grades achieved in dance, design and technology, geography, media studies and Spanish were A*-B.

There was delight at Queenswood on results day (Image: Queenswood School)

GCSE pupils in Welwyn Hatfield and Potters Bar collected their results the following week. 

At Welwyn Garden City's Stanborough School, headteacher Mrs John said: "Our children who are at the heart of everything we do are more than just grades. Grades do not define them but their character does. I am so proud of each and every one of our Year 11 students."

Stanborough School GCSE results day 2023 (Image: Stanborough School)

In Hatfield Onslow St Audrey's headteacher Julie Jones said: "We are very pleased with our Year 11 students' outcomes which reflect how hard they worked for their results.

"Thanks must go to the staff at Onslow St Audrey’s School for the way they have prepared our students for success.

"Despite all the challenges Year 11 have faced over recent years and the rigour of this year’s examination process, our students have achieved well in their GCSEs and vocational awards."
Onslow St Audrey students on GCSE results day 2023 (Image: Onslow St Audrey's School)