Questions have been raised by public health chiefs and residents over plans to convert a vacant former shop into a new "restaurant and takeaway" in Hartlepool.

Proposals had been submitted towards the end of last year to Hartlepool Borough Council planning chiefs to transform the empty unit at 130 Oxford Road.

The application from Mr R Nadeem seeks to open a mixed use restaurant and takeaway at the premises which “has been vacant since the summer with no firm interest”.

A response has now been submitted by Bev Hall-Jones, council advanced public health practitioner, raising concerns over the development and stressing the application needs to “clearly demonstrate” whether the site would chiefly operate as a takeaway or restaurant.

placeholder image — 130 Oxford Road, Hartlepool.

She said: “Evidence from previous decisions in the borough highlighted that additional takeaway capacity can exacerbate poor diet and obesity, which are significant local health challenges.

“The prevalence of obesity in Hartlepool is a clear public health concern.

“Public health would therefore support refusal of planning permission for a new hot-food takeaway which may undermine the local authority’s policies and public health strategies to tackle obesity within the borough.”

Her response notes the latest data shows the proportion of adults (aged 18+) who are overweight or obese in the borough is “estimated to be 77.2% placing Hartlepool as the worst in England”.

Figures also show the town has approximately 138 fast food outlets per 100,000 population, higher than the England average of 115.9 – with the borough ranked 37th nationally in terms of takeaway outlet density.

To date nine objections have been submitted to the council by residents over the latest plans raising concerns around potential noise, highways issues and that there are “already multiple takeaways within a short distance”.

One letter of support has also been lodged arguing the development would be a “positive addition to the area” boosting neighbouring shops and the “vitality of Oxford Road”.

A planning statement as part of the proposals notes the development would “create 5/6 full-time jobs” and provide a “realistic use that would deliver significant local economic benefits”.

Proposed floor plans shows the site would have four tables, each with four seats, and a further table with two seats in a “waiting area”.

A decision is expected next month.

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