Welwyn Garden City proposal includes restoration of grade II-listed grain silos

Developers IJM Land and Treble Eight Group have been given planning for a 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.

BGY shredded wheat 4

How the new scheme will look with the retained grain siols (centre)

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.

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.

The council’s executive member for planning Rose Grewal said: “The old Shredded Wheat factory site has been vacant for a long time so I am delighted that council’s development management committee has resolved to grant planning permission for the development of this site.

“Supporting our town centres is a priority for the Council and the Wheat Quarter will be a wonderful addition to Welwyn Garden City.”

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.

The factory originally opened in 1926 and was a major employer in the area before its closure in 2008 when production moved to Wiltshire.

In 2024, IJM bought a 50% stake in construction firm JRL Group for £50m.

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