Concerns have been raised by community organisations over plans to potentially convert part of a vandal-hit vacant social club into a coffee shop, mini-supermarket and a takeaway.

Proposals were recently submitted to Hartlepool Borough Council’s planning department for the former United Services Club, in Miers Avenue.

The application from Shah Anwar, from Oak Enterprise & Investments, states the “derelict and abandoned” building closed in December 2022 and they are looking to convert the front half of the ground floor into three commercial units.

It notes “initial plans” are for the site to comprise a coffee shop, mini-supermarket and a hot food takeaway although this is not a certainty and “no tenants for the commercial units have been identified yet”.

Part of the former Miers Avenue Social Club, in Hartlepool, could be transformed into shops.

placeholder image — Part of the former Miers Avenue Social Club, in Hartlepool, could be transformed into shops.

A planning statement in support outlines the development would “help to sustain the building for the future in terms of usage and repair” and bring a “magnet for criminal activity and anti-social behaviour, back into use.”

Six objections have been lodged with the council to date over the plans.

This includes a submission from Val Evens, manager at the neighbouring West View Advice and Resource Centre, raising concerns around traffic, parking and highway safety.

She said: “If sufficient off-street parking is not available, customers and staff are likely to park on surrounding streets, placing additional pressure on existing parking spaces and causing inconvenience to local residents and other road users.

“Increased vehicle movements, deliveries, stopping/starting traffic, and vehicles manoeuvring close to the premises may create hazards for pedestrians, particularly children, older people and those with mobility issues.”

Meanwhile a response from Tracey Herrington, who volunteers at The Bread and Butter Thing at West View and represents Thrive Teesside, an organisation advocating for the voice of lived experience in decision-making processes, highlighted her worries.

She said: “Based on consistent feedback from local residents, there is a strong feeling that West View already has an adequate number of retail units, many of which remain vacant.

“In contrast, there is a clear appetite within the community for an additional community facility or accessible green space.”

Documents supporting the plans note there is an area just outside the property which would allow parking for “three to four” cars at a time and it is “not predicted” vehicles will park for long.

A decision is expected in the near future.