Former Hartlepool takeaway set to become cafe or shop with flats above after refurbishment project approved

Proposals were submitted to Hartlepool Borough Council planning department earlier this year for the work to take place at 15 Church Street, previously home to Mamma Mia’s takeaway.

The property is also joined on to the historic former Shades site.

The plans, submitted by Hartlepool Borough Council officers, said they wanted to change the upper two floors into two self-contained flats, along with refurbishing the ground floor commercial unit.

This comes after in March last year councillors approved a £207,000 scheme to renovate the property, with a view to opening a cafe or shop at the site, along with the two flats.

Planning officers at the council have confirmed they have given the proposals the go ahead, adding there had been no objections to the development in the building.

The plans, submitted by Philip Timmins at the council, state the building is currently in a ‘poor state of repair’ and the development would enhance Church Street, and the Conservation Area where it is located.

A heritage statement previously submitted on behalf of the council from construction consultants RNJ Partnership states the move will bring a prominent building back into use.

It said: “In summary the building requires extensive repairs principally as a result of lack of maintenance and the use of inappropriate materials.

“The building is in a dilapidated condition with extensive repairs and replacement of components and materials as necessary.

“The proposals retain and enhance the buildings original architectural details whilst removing inappropriate materials and later additions to bring a building back into use.”

Hartlepool Borough Council bosses acquired the property in August 2018 with plans to renovate the site and convert the ground floor into a shop or cafe, dependent on market demand.

Council officers previously stated the site would not be run as a hot food takeaway as it would be ‘detrimental to the letting and management of the flats’.

It was also stated 61% of the total costs of the project – including the purchase of the property – will be covered by external grant funding, with the rest met from anticipated rental income.

Previously the upper floors provided one three bed flat, with the latest plans involving dividing the site into two flats, each with two bedrooms.

Work to be carried out will include replacement roofs, windows, repairing chimneys, and a full refurbishment of the building internally.

Senior planning officer Jane Tindall confirmed in her report the proposals would have no negative impact on the area.

She said: “In conclusion, it is considered on balance that the application is acceptable with respect to the relevant material planning considerations, and in accordance with the relevant policies of the adopted Hartlepool Local Plan 2018.”

A message from the editor

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our advertisers - and consequently the revenue we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription.

Subscribe to the Hartlepool Mail website and enjoy unlimited access to local news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit https://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/subscriptions to sign up.

You can subscribe to the newspaper with 20% off at https://www.localsubsplus.co.uk/