Floating homes may soon go on sale in Hartlepool

A village of floating homes is earmarked for Hartlepool.

A community of up to 10 designer pods, specifically built for life on the water, has been revealed by developers.

Each comes fully fitted with a fridge freezer, kitchenette, hot plates, bed, widescreen television and a private deck.

The exciting new jobs-boosting village could spring up soon at Hartlepool Marina where a prototype has already been built.

That show home will become what is believed to be the UK’s first floating hotel – or as developer Luke Robertson brands it a "flotelroom" - with subsequent units either rented out or sold as properties.

Hotel bookings between £65-£75 will be taken from next month.

Luke, who owns the Robertson Marine Group, is the brains behind the idea, which he first thought of when he bought some of the buildings after they were used at the 2012 Olympics.

He has teamed up with Hartlepool Marina to set up On Water Living,

Luke began working out float and buoyancy calculations and then built his model. It is fully equipped with everything a person needs for an ideal getaway.

Luke Robertson inside the hotel pod.

The official launch of the new project will be held next month but On Water Living has already been launched to promote the units.

Luke added: “They are easily transportable and suitable to hold quite a few people,” he said.

“I could see a gap in the market, with the likes of the Lake District, national parks and marinas all around.

“I have always lived in Hartlepool and always lived by the sea, and been around the jet skis.”

“Going forward, we have a full projection target to do five pods every month with all aspects of finish inside.”

They have a living area, they are 8.5ft high and have a total area of 172sq ft and the On Water Living team believes everyone from marinas to fishing lakes could be ideal venues for people wanting to have pods to take away.

Hartlepool Marina director Adam Henderson, pictured top of the page with Luke, said: “Hartlepool Marina was a lovely place for a coffee, tea or ice cream but if you want to go on the water, you have to have a boat or lots of money.

“It’s a stigma but the reality is quite the opposite.”