Objectors receive boost in battle against revised plans for new Hartlepool children's home
Objectors against plans to transform a house into a children’s home have received a boost ahead of a crunch meeting.
The proposals to transform the property at 14 Elm Grove were submitted to Hartlepool Borough Council planning department last year.
The application from Active Care Group seeks to convert the site to “offer a safe, supportive, and nurturing environment where children can thrive with the support of experienced care professionals”.
The proposals are “specifically designed to provide specialist care for up to five children with learning difficulties and complex care needs”.
The home would provide 24-hour tailored support “with a highly trained team of up to 12 staff members, including management, during the day, and five staff members providing care overnight”.
However, 18 objections have been submitted to the council from residents raising concerns over the application.
These include the development not being “compatible” with the residential area, worries around the operator and that it could lead to increased noise and disturbance, congestion and insufficient and unsuitable parking.
The application is therefore due to go before the council’s planning committee on Wednesday, February 18, for a decision, with a report from officers ahead of the meeting recommending it is refused.
It states: “The site is not considered to be an appropriate or compatible location for the proposed use.
“The proposal would have the potential to result in a significant detrimental impact on both the character of the surrounding area and neighbour amenity as a result of the proposed layout and increase in activity and associated noise.”
The applicant previously submitted similar proposals which had been scheduled to go before the planning committee in July 2025 after 11 objections were lodged by residents.
Yet the plans were withdrawn ahead of the meeting after a report from officers recommended they were refused due to the increase in activity and noise they would bring to the site and a lack of parking provision.
The latest proposals state changes have been made to attempt to address the concerns around parking by providing more spaces on site.
A planning statement adds: “Each child will benefit from personalised care plans and dedicated support staff, focusing on their safety, well-being, and integration into the local community.”