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Homes plans may be scaled down
PLANS to build thousands of new homes as part of a major strategy which will shape Hartlepool's future for years to come could be downsized.
Hartlepool Borough Council's core strategy is a massive planning blueprint which covers a 10-year period from 2014 to 2024.
Originally there were plans to build 6,770 new homes, with around 3,420 of the properties on sites which still need to be approved.
But officers say that figure can be reduced after the Government's recent decision to abolish the regional spatial strategy which set Hartlepool's target for new houses at 395 a year.
Councillors say that was "unrealistic" and the figure could be revised to between 300 and 350 new houses a year instead.
Members of the council's cabinet committee agreed to go back out to consultation in November for eight weeks on revised plans.
It comes after specific concerns were raised about flooding, access and transport problems at Tunstall Farm, which could see 60 new executive houses, and Quarry Farm, which could see 300 new homes.
Concerns were also raised at the planned 2,750 new houses at the south western extension, which covers the Claxton, Brierton and Eaglesfield Road areas.
Hartlepool Mayor Stuart Drummond said cabinet members will work with officers to look at reducing the amount of housing in those areas.
Mayor Drummond said: "Particular concerns were raised around the impact on the roads, flooding and capacity of local schools.
"It will take a few months longer to go back out to consultation but my personal view is that it is the right thing to do."
Usually, the next step would have been to publish the proposed core strategy document and submit it to the Secretary of State.
But cabinet members agreed to go back to the public with a newly drawn-up preferred options report – and that will be reported back to cabinet in November.
The core strategy also includes proposals for a park and ride system and a new road at the west of the town.
Key sites have been chosen where the town's future employment could be encouraged including Wynyard Business Park, Queens Meadow, and Hartlepool docks.
The town's road network could also see major improvements.
The core strategy attracted massive public interest with more than 450 people responding to an initial consultation period.
The main objectors believed council chiefs were over-estimating how many houses Hartlepool would need and also that greenfield land was being threatened when there was plenty of brownfield sites available for development.
Numerous groups also replied, supporting the idea of an urban expansion.
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Weather for Hartlepool
Sunday 27 May 2012
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Temperature: 9 C to 21 C
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