Calls for Wesley Chapel and court buildings to play role in £25million Town Deal bid for Hartlepool

In 2019 it was announced Hartlepool had been selected as one of 100 places invited to develop proposals for a Town Deal, part of a £3.6billion Government programme to ‘unlock the economic potential’ of areas.

The Government will consider investing up to £25million in each Town Deal, dependent upon the business case put forward, and if it is accepted.

Before a Town Deal can be agreed Hartlepool must develop a Town Investment Plan to set out a clear understanding of the area, its assets, opportunities and challenges, and a masterplan is also being created.

Council leader Coun Shane Moore said it offered a chance to ‘unlock the potential of the town centre and the wider area’.

Councillors on the finance and policy committee were positive over how the projects could be used to benefit the town, but urged caution over how much £25million could actually do in the wider context of developments.

Coun Christopher Akers-Belcher reiterated the importance of addressing empty properties and derelict buildings in the town and raised potential areas to be looked at.

He said: “There’s things like the Wesley Chapel, there’s things like the courts.

“I think we need to have a look at things like, do we need a pedestrianised part of the town?

“Do we need to have a look at our own assets in the wider footprint, and can we get some cost savings by looking at what could be the purpose of the court building, what could be the purpose of the empty properties?

“I do welcome the opportunity but I think people need to have their feet firmly on the ground and realise £25million isn’t going to go very far.”

Deputy council leader Coun Mike Young raised the importance of using the funds to increase connectivity within the town.

He said: “I think it’s massively exciting that this opportunity has presented itself.

“I think realistically £25million in the scheme of everything that we want to deliver as a council is probably on the low side, but it’s a fantastic start if we’re successful in achieving that.”

Coun Jim Lindridge also praised the opportunity and stressed the importance of keeping residents involved with the process of developing the town.

He said: “We need the public to be on board with this as well, we don’t want to be claiming £25million and then it’s just a superficial makeover, there’s got to be something positive.”

Coun Sue Little also called for awareness over the challenges in creating a thriving town centre, and cited the recent financial issues faced by retail giant Intu, which owns the Metrocentre in Gateshead and Eldon Square.

Council chiefs also stressed how they would be gaining the views of young people to help shape the projects.

A Hartlepool Town Deal Board has also been set up to oversee the plan, made up of the Hartlepool MP, council and Tees Valley Combined Authority representatives, local businesses, investors, community representatives and more.

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