Welwyn Hatfield Labour is pressing for better healthcare provision as the borough grows.

In 2024, the council approved 860 new homes at the old Panshanger Aerodrome. While developer Bellway has committed to a new two-form primary school, Labour is calling for a permanent site for a GP surgery to be included. Every housing developer is required to contribute to local infrastructure, and healthcare must be part of that.

Andrew Lewin MP has already raised the issue with Bellway, the NHS Integrated Care Board (ICB), and Peartree Group Practice. He described talks as encouraging but stressed that any new GP practice would not be built until phase two of the development.

“Development must come with the right social infrastructure,” Andrew said. “With a growing population, securing a new GP surgery will remain one of my top priorities.”

The borough’s population rose by 9,000 between 2011 and 2023 and is projected to grow by another 19% over the next 15 years. Labour is clear that healthcare services must expand to keep pace.