Hartlepool park keeper's lodge to be brought back into use

Recruitment firm Adept Professional Services will move into the 19th Century Grade II building within the grounds of Ward Jackson Park after the council’s planning committee yesterday granted approval for a change of use.

The recruitment company is currently operating from the Innovation Centre, at Queen’s Meadow Business Park.

But it said the lodge’s location near upmarket West Park reflected the nature of the clientele it was seeking to help recruit.

Councillor Ray Martin-Wells, who sits on the planning committee and is also represents the ward, said: “I think it’s nice to see a disused council building brought back into use.

“It is a double whammy because we get income for the local authority and what would end up being a derelict building is brought back into use, so I wholeheartedly support this application and wish the business all the best.”

Up to 12 staff will be based at the lodge between Monday and Friday from 8.30am and 6.30pm.

The lodge was built as part of Ward Jackson Park in 1883 as a tribute to industrialist Ralph Ward Jackson and is a designated heritage asset within the Park conservation area.

The applicant said some alteration works will be carried out inside building but the outside of the building will remain the same.

Six car parking spaces within the curtilage of the lodge will be created for workers.