£55m Hertfordshire Constabulary HQ delivers exceptional £28m community impact

The construction of the £55m Hertfordshire Police headquarters has delivered a social and economic impact worth more than £28 million to the local community – more than double the original target. 

The Welwyn Garden City project, set for completion next summer by Hertfordshire-based construction company Willmott Dixon, demonstrates how major projects can create transformational community benefits alongside world-class facilities for frontline policing.

The four-storey headquarters has been designed to achieve WELL Platinum and BREEAM Excellent standards, combining operational security requirements with exceptional staff wellbeing and sustainability credentials.

The unprecedented social return on investment has been achieved through Willmott Dixon's comprehensive community engagement programme, creating lasting opportunities for residents while addressing skills shortages in the construction sector.

During the project, Willmott Dixon has engaged with 15 schools and colleges across Hertfordshire, reaching over 240 pupils through direct engagement, while attending multiple careers events and workshops that reached over 750 students, inspiring the next generation to consider construction careers.

The company's flagship Hub Challenge 2025 – a week-long project-based work experience programme – provided hands-on learning opportunities, while targeted support for vulnerable community groups included ongoing assistance for homeless charity Emmaus and local women's refuges.

Natalie Sidey, social value manager at Willmott Dixon, said: "We are committed to offering opportunities to residents in Hertfordshire which will allow them to engage with construction as an industry, particularly those facing significant barriers to employment. Engaging with these groups through inclusive construction initiatives plays a vital role in reducing inequality, supporting social mobility and addressing local skills shortages within the sector.

"Throughout this project, we've worked closely with our supply chain and local organisations as part of our One Team approach to delivering meaningful and long-lasting impact. Achieving £28 million in social return – nearly three times our original target – shows what's possible when construction companies truly embed community benefit into everything they do."

The new headquarters, constructed on the existing Welwyn Garden City site, will provide Hertfordshire Constabulary with a modern, secure operational base designed around officer and staff wellbeing. The WELL Platinum standard recognises the building's focus on creating healthy environments that support mental and physical wellbeing, while BREEAM Excellent certification confirms its exceptional environmental performance.

Police and Crime Commissioner for Hertfordshire, Jonathan Ash-Edwards, said: “Hertfordshire’s new police HQ is an important investment in supporting police officers and staff to fight crime and keep the public safe. Working with Hertfordshire-based Willmott Dixon has allowed this project to deliver wider community benefits, supporting the local economy and providing employment and training opportunities to young people.”

The project surpassed multiple community benefit targets, including mentoring hours for adults, work experience opportunities for young people, school workshop attendance, and volunteer hours supporting local organisations.

This adds to Willmott Dixon's growing portfolio of community-focused projects across the region, with the company's local presence enabling deep engagement with Hertfordshire's educational institutions, charities, and training providers.

It demonstrates the company's expertise in delivering complex public sector projects that combine operational excellence with measurable social impact – capabilities that are increasingly vital as public sector customers seek maximum value from major infrastructure investments.

For further information about Willmott Dixon, visit willmottdixon.co.uk