VIEWED from the roof of the council offices, Stevenage, a town of some 85,000 people around 30 miles from London, is not an attractive place. To the east, a shopping precinct—three low-rise grey blocks around a clock tower—squats in front of brown concrete tower blocks. To the west, shed-like buildings—a bowling alley, a leisure centre and a sort of strip-mall—loom over acres of car parks and roads.
