How to have your say on future plans for Hartlepool's waterfront area

The locality is currently home to bars and restaurants at Hartlepool Marina, the National Museum of the Royal Navy and the Museum of Hartlepool.

It is also the home of Highlight, the town’s new multi-million pound fitness and leisure centre, which is expected to be completed in spring 2026.

Work on the masterplan includes a consultation looking at how aware people are of this part of Hartlepool, how it is currently used and what might attract people to the waterfront in the future.

This includes a range of potential ideas for Hartlepool Waterfront’s future development, drawn from examples in other places, and asks the public how interested they would be in seeing them brought to the town.

Suggestions include water-based activity within the Marina area such as kayaking and swimming, boat tours around the coast, a water taxi to Hartlepool Headland, floating gardens and walkways and a moveable pedestrian bridge.

Other ideas in the survey include open air events, markets, an independent retail, food and drink offering with outdoor seating, children’s play areas, trails and using the area for outdoor arts, themed events and festivals.

Plans for the regeneration of the waterfront were boosted earlier this year after the council received £631,000 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund towards its project to transform the visitor experience at the Museum of Hartlepool and paddle steamer Wingfield Castle.

The survey on the waterfront masterplan runs until Monday, December 8.

People can take part by visiting https://yoursay.hartlepool.gov.uk/hartlepool-waterfront-micro-masterplan.