book list
The main section headings of the report are:
The report is illustrated by 23 maps most of which are of the whole of Hertfordshire, including a large pull-out map glued in at the back (22" by 24½") which shows proposals for new road, open spaces and zoning. Unfortunately some of the smaller maps have been reduced too much, and also have been reproduced in monochrome from colour originals which means they are not very clear. There are also 30 black and white photographs of which 13 are aerial shots including one of Welwyn Garden City reproduced below. There are also a number of bar charts and graphs in the report.
In the section headed Constitution of the Regional Planning Committee are listed, 4 Corporations, 19 Urban District Councils (including Welwyn Garden City), and 13 Rural District Councils (including Welwyn). After each body is a person's name and address, except in the case of Welwyn Garden City, where it just says "constituted in 1927". In fact Welwyn Garden City Urban District Council came into being in April 1927. The entry against Welwyn Rural District Council is Sir Theodore Chambers, K.B.E. with address Welwyn Garden City. In addition, there is a list of those in the General Purposes Sub-committee which includes Sir Theodore.
In the chapter on Residential Development is a page and a half of text on Welwyn Garden City which I am reproducing here in full since it has some interesting facts and figures on the state of the Town in 1927.
"The interesting summary given below of recent developments in Welwyn Garden City illustrates the rapid progress that is possible in a well-organised satellite town.
"The growth of Welwyn Garden City during the current year has been more rapid than in any previous period of its history. The population in 1921 was only 328. On 1st October, 1926, it was 4,077. On 1st October, 1927, it was 6,149, an increase of over 2,000, or more than 50 per centum in twelve months. The rateable value has increased during the year from £38,939 to £47,434.
"Over 240 houses have been let since 1st January at an annual rental of nearly £13,000, while houses have been sold on 999 year leases at an aggregate figure of about £23,000.
"The grant of Urban Powers in April, 1927, has been fully justified. The improved administration has not caused any increase of the local rates, though the novel policy of surfacing roads at the expense of the District without making any charge on frontages has been continued. The rates for the current half-year are 6s. in the £ , a reduction of 4d. on last half-year.
"Industrial development is showing signs of more rapid expansion. The new industries that have taken factories or sites during the year include ironfoundry, printing, corset-making, nursery food production, brick-making, machinery production, and a model electric bakery. The existing companies have also extended their premises. Sectional factories have been erected for letting to suitable industries, and this new departure has created much interest and facilitated the establishment of small and moderate-sized works.
"The growth of population has necessitated considerable developments in the public service undertakings , include Electricity, Gas and Water Supplies, and in recreational facilities.
"Electrical progress has been phenomenal. Every house in the town has electricity available. There are 1,753 consumers, of whom about 300 do all their cooking by this means. The consumption of electricity has increased by 100 per centum in the past year. As a result of the encouragement given to domestic demand, the undertaking has a load factor of nearly 40 per centum for the year.
"Sports and amusements have been catered for by the provision of a number of additional cricket and football grounds, hockey fields, and hard tennis courts, and by the building of a new Theatre and Picture-house with a seating capacity of about 1,200. A new Club-house has been erected for Boys' and Girls' Clubs and other social purposes. The Golf Course has been extended to 18 holes.
"Shopping facilities are keeping pace with the growth of the population. The area of the premises of the central departmental stores has been more than doubled; a first-class bakery has been erected, and a model dairy and bottling plant which ensures a perfectly clean milk supply for the town.
"Educational arrangements have also greatly extended. The first County School has been doubled in size, and a second County School opened in the Club-house pending the erection of the new school buildings. A new Preparatory School for boys, and a High School for girls has been started, and two other schools have been extended.
"Two Banks, at present in temporary buildings, are about to commence the erection of their permanent premises.
"The train service has been greatly improved since the opening of the new main line station, and certain trains now do the journey in 30 minutes. The number of passengers booked at the station has increased from 1,382 in 1920 to 91,628 in the first 8 months of this year. Season tickets issued have increased from 24 in 1920 to 2,412 in the first 8 months of the year 1927.
"In addition to a great variety of residential properties on 999 years' lease, ranging in value from £600 to £3,000, many houses have been erected in Welwyn Garden City for letting at weekly and yearly rents. For a new scheme of 102 houses, primarily intended for local workers, a tender at £310 per house has been obtained, which will enable the houses to be let at 10s. per week."
(click on the image for a better view)
The top of this picture points to the west. The road entering the picture at middle top and winding to the right is Valley Road which forms a junction with Brockswood Lane/Bridge Road near the right hand edge. Parallel to Valley Road and below it in the picture winds Handside Lane which crosses Russellcroft Road near the middle of the picture and continues on to Bridge Road. To the extreme bottom left is Parkway with no houses yet built. Guessens Court (square feature) is to the left slightly above centre. Delcott Close is top right, with Valley Green below it and High Grove to its left. The Quadrangle is near the bottom slightly right of middle. In the bottom right hand corner of the picture are the huts used by the construction workers.