New country park opens to the public (From St Albans & Harpenden Review)

New country park in between St Albans and Hatfield open to the public

10:40am Friday 3rd December 2010 in News By Manisha Mistry

A COUNTRY park on the former aerodrome site between St Albans and Hatfield has opened to the public.

The 400 acre site, to be known as Ellenbrook Fields, was once part of the British Aerospace and was used as a jet engine test area and airfield.

It has now been converted into a large open space for the public.

The project began in 2000 when Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council and St Albans District Council secured the site as green space as part of the planning permission granted for the development of Hatfield Business Park.

Following surveys and landscaping the parkland now boats footpaths, hay meadows, a bridleway and woodland.

Ellenbrook Park is famously known for being as part of the set for Saving Private Ryan in 1998 and Band of Brothers in 2001.

Councillor Mandy Perkins, executive member for planning at Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council said she is glad the project has been successfully finished and Councillor Robert Donald, leader of St Albans District Council mirrored the views.