Malaysian developer IJM bought site after previous joint venture’s scheme fell through
IJM Land and Treble Eight Group have submitted a planning application to Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council for the 579-home redevelopment of the former Shredded Wheat factory site in Hertfordshire.
The masterplan for Wheat Quarter at Welwyn Garden City includes 133 two, three and four bedroom houses with private gardens, 141 retirement living homes and 305 flats for rent with shared amenities such as a co-working space, gym and lounge.
Malaysian property developer IJM and London-based developer Treble Eight Group are also planning a 180-room aparthotel.
Meanwhile, the grade II-listed grain silos will be turned into a sky bar and restaurant, alongside leisure space on the ground floor with potential uses including a climbing wall, skydiving experience, zip wires and bouldering for all ages.
A food and beverage area is planned for the boiler house and grain store, incorporating a tap room and retail facilities.
Improvements to the pedestrian footbridge from the nearby Welwyn Garden City station, including a new lift, stairs and retail unit, also feature, as well as open space.
Planning permission for Wheat Quarter was originally granted to joint venture partners ZM Land & Capital and Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing in late 2018. The pair were set to deliver a mixed-use scheme with 1,440 flats but nearly four years of no progress caused the site to fall into receivership. IJM then purchased it in December 2023.
Buckley Gray Yeoman (BGY)
has since replaced original architect Collado Collins on the project.
While the new development team has brought in BGY to rethink the scheme, it has retained much of the former project team, which includes Bradley Murphy Design as landscape architect, Gateley on costs, Iceni on planning, Entran on transport and Civic as engineer. Lottie Delamain has also joined the team as an additional landscape designer.
A spokesman from IJM Land said: “When we showed our proposals at the public consultation in October [2024], hundreds of residents came to meet us and we received a clear message: please deliver as quickly as possible.”
Last year, IJM bought a 50% stake in construction firm JRL Group for £50m.
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