Press Releases


Harpenden Town Council's press releases are available to view below.

For press enquiries and to find out more please contact claire.ahmed@harpenden.gov.uk

29/01/2024 14:52
Planning permission secured for new skatepark

Harpenden Town Council, together with local charity Playpark Action Rothamsted Committee (PARC), is celebrating another step towards Rothamsted Park’s Skatepark redevelopment with the news that planning permission has been granted. The redevelopment is badly needed as the current skatepark is at the end of its life. Designs accommodating the need for an inviting and inclusive space, with good wheelchair access, features for all abilities and ages...


22/01/2024 14:44
Hertfordshire Town Champions Rare Chalk Stream, One of the World’s Rarest Habitats

Batford Springs Local Nature Reserve in Harpenden, Hertfordshire has long been a locally treasured green space but, with the development of an ambitious Management Plan, Harpenden Town Council is focused on maintaining and enhancing this outstanding area as a hugely important national asset. The Reserve, which contains a rare chalk steam, is an integral part of the River Lea ecological corridor and provides the opportunity for wildlife to thrive in a diverse and unique environment.


28/11/2023 10:34
Harpenden delivers spectacular Christmas Carnival

The Harpenden Christmas Carnival welcomed 20,000 people on Sunday 26th November. Entertainment, street food, a fabulous Christmas Market, the Pipes and Drums-led procession, Santa and the much-anticipated Christmas lights switch on all helped to create a wonderful festive atmosphere. The event included an abundance of entertainment and activities, with something for everyone: Free children’s and adults’ craft activities were provided. Walkabout entertainment included stilt walkers and...


23/11/2023 13:27
Town Council pledges wider support to Harpenden businesses

Harpenden Town Council has announced a survey for local business owners which it hopes will be the first step in developing a wider support offer to them. The survey, which was launched this week, will help the Town Council to understand the challenges and issues that local businesses are facing and allow them to develop a support offer that gets to the heart of what is needed.


09/10/2023 14:48
Friends of Alzey Celebrate 60th Anniversary

The Mayor of Harpenden, Cllr Fiona Gaskell, accompanied the Friends of Alzey on an important visit to one of Harpenden’s Twin Towns, Alzey in Germany recently (the other is Cosne-Cours-sur-Loire in France). The trip marked a celebration of 60 years of the town twinning partnership, commemorating the strong links which have been maintained since 1963.


16/09/2023 15:01
A celebration of the best of food and drink in Harpenden

Harpenden’s Food & Drink Festival returned on Saturday (16th September) welcoming 15,000 people to the picturesque town. Food stalls ran through the High Street and Harpenden Common, offering fresh market-stall produce and an array of street food. Bar areas, ferret racing, street entertainment, outdoor community seating areas, DJs, a live Music Stage and the Children’s Zone, ensured an exciting day for all, helped along with what felt like the last of the summer sun!


05/09/2023 11:07
Harpenden Town Council delivers affordable housing development

24 affordable new homes have been built in Harpenden providing much-needed, high-quality residences for social and affordable rent and shared ownership. The new homes will assist local families on the housing register, and help others get on the housing ladder. The Town Council is proud to have instigated and led this important development.


31/07/2023 12:45
Mayor of Harpenden re-opens Rothamsted Park Tennis Courts

Tennis enthusiasts of all abilities enjoyed a morning of free tennis at Rothamsted Park at the end of July. The event, hosted by Harpenden Town Council, was organised to celebrate the relaunch of the Rothamsted Park tennis courts.


21/07/2023 16:33
Section 38 Application Notice - Harpenden Common

Harpenden Town Council has applied to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for consent under section 38 of the Commons Act 2006 to carry out restricted works on Harpenden Common.


09/06/2023 10:55
Mayor's Charities Announced

The Mayor of Harpenden, Cllr Fiona Gaskell, has announced that she will be supporting two local charities in her Mayoral year: Herts Young Homeless and Harpenden Mencap. Two incredibly worthwhile organisations supporting local people.


01/06/2023 11:25
Harpenden Town Council’s Formal Response to the North West Harpenden Planning Application

At the Extraordinary Council meeting which took place on Tuesday 30 May 2023, Harpenden Town Council, as a Statutory Consultee, agreed the formal response for submission to St Albans City and District Council on planning application reference 5/2023/0327 - Outline Application (access sought) for Land at Cooters End Lane and Ambrose Lane for the construction of up to 550 dwellings including c.130 Class C2 integrated retirement homes.


22/05/2023 13:05
Harpenden Town Council welcomes new Mayor and Councillors at Annual Council Meeting

Harpenden Town Council’s Annual Council Meeting took place on 11th May in Park Hall. This is the first meeting of the Council’s Municipal Year and included election of the new Town Mayor, Cllr Fiona Gaskell, and Deputy Mayor, Cllr Pip Liver.