A decision on hundreds of new homes in Hartlepool has been deferred to give decision-makers time to consider a legal query.

The application to Hartlepool Development Corporation (HDC) was for outline planning permission for up to 210 homes at Queens Meadow Business Park.

The plans, from Hellens Investments (Washington) LLP, aimed to provide a mix of houses and separate apartment blocks.

Yet the outline housing plan was recommended for refusal by HDC planning advisors.

A CGI image of how the expanded Queens Meadow Business Park would look.

placeholder image — A CGI image of how the expanded Queens Meadow Business Park would look.

A report to decision-makers noted the housing development was “highly likely” to increase noise complaints against neighbouring business Tata Steel, with a risk of “unreasonable restrictions” being placed on the firm.

HDC members have now agreed to a deferral following legal queries about the development corporation’s constitution.

The current constitution states the board “must not make any decision which imposes a financial or other liability on Tees Valley Combined Authority or Hartlepool Borough Council” with the exception of non-domestic rates.

Concerns centred around the section 106 planning process, which allows councils to secure financial contributions from developers to help mitigate the impact of developments in key areas such as education and infrastructure.

As there was a gap between the council’s requested section 106 contributions, and the cash total developers said they could viably provide, there were legal queries about the resulting impact of a HDC decision.

This included a need for clarity to ensure HDC would be making a decision in line with its constitution rulebook.

HDC members agreed to put a decision on hold to seek further information and the homes plan will return for decision next month.