Empty Hartlepool homes being demolished to make way for new housing estate

A total of 34 terraced properties between Carr Street and Richardson Street, off Hart Lane, are biting the dust as part of a developer’s plans to regenerate the area.

Manchester-based PlaceFirst was selected by Hartlepool Borough Council last October to revamp the neighbourhood by building about 75 new homes to rent.

It is the last area in the council’s Housing Market Renewal Programme to be redeveloped.

The houses being knocked down will eventually become a centrepiece garden square that a mix of one, two and three-bedroomhomes will overlook.

In the meantime, the site will be used as a base for contractors.

Martin Ellerby, head of new business and innovation at PlaceFirst, said: “The demolition work is the first step in realising our vision for this historic neighbourhood of Hartlepool.

“We are all very excited about this project and are looking forward to seeing the cleared site, which will ultimately become a fantastic green space overlooked by new family homes.

“PlaceFirst will set new standards in private renting for families across Hartlepool through this project.

“We are working with our design team on some really exciting and distinctive homes, and are confident this development will offer something new to the local housing market.”

The demolition work is expected to take about two months.

PlaceFirst says the homes, which it will be responsible for renting out, are aimed at people who cannot afford to get on the property ladder.

Councillor Carl Richardson, deputy leader of Hartlepool Borough Council and a councillor for the Victoria Ward, said: “I am really excited the developer has started the first phase of demolition in the Carr/Hopps Street area.

“This scheme will not only provide much-needed quality homes for rent but help
 significantly to breathe new life into the central area of town.

“The start of demolition work represents a major milestone in completing the redevelopment of the site.”