Homes plan for Hart Reservoir plot could get green light

Hartlepool Borough Council’s planning committee has been recommended to give conditional approval for 52 houses on the site of Hart Reservoir.

The proposals, reduced from an earlier application for 70 homes on the Hart Lane plot, have led to concerns about a host of issues.

They include the potential harm to wildlife and transport problems, while objectors say there is no need for more housing and that it will devalue properties nearby.

Twenty letters have been submitted to the council, while Hartlepool Civic Society, ward councillor Paul Beck and Hart Parish Council have also raised points which they hope the committee will consider.

A letter from the parish council reads: “This proposal, while having a separate outlet from the adjoining estate, is simply an add-on to a sprawling collection of dwellings.

“The designs are no different to those found everywhere in each new opportunity for unnecessary developments.

“The inclusion of garages, which will be unlikely to have sufficient area to accommodate a family-sized car, and which will no doubt be subjected to a change of use to another downstairs room, with or without planning permission.

“The area is overloaded with similar residential properties that are difficult to sell.”

The application, by Hartlepool-based property developer Brett Wilkinson, is an outline proposal, which means further details about the access, appearance, layout, sale of the buildings and landscaping would be reserved for future approval.

The report to councillors details how the plans would feature nine affordable homes, while cash will be contributed to education, footpaths, ecological mitigation measures, maintenance of roads, open space and landscape and care of the nature reserve and car park.

The meeting will be at 10am on Wednesday in the Civic Centre’s council chamber.