Plans for new boutique hotel in Hartlepool look set for go-ahead

Plans for a new boutique hotel, including restaurant and bar, look set to be approved by planning bosses.
Wilton Grange, Grange Road, Hartlepool.Wilton Grange, Grange Road, Hartlepool.
Wilton Grange, Grange Road, Hartlepool.

Hartlepool Borough Council planning committee is to make decision on proposals submitted by David Atkinson to convert the Wilton Grange site in Grange Road at its meeting on Wednesday.

The ‘high-end boutique hotel’ would have eight en-suite guest bedrooms, function space, along with breakfast rooms, a bar, cocktail lounge, kitchen, restaurant and conference room.

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The applicant also said the venue would be particularly suited for weddings.

A planning report has recommended the proposals are approved by the committee at the meeting.

A planning statement on behalf of the applicant said: “It is considered that this proposal will benefit the property, will not adversely impact on the wider locality and will be a worthwhile new addition to the borough which should be supported.”

If the plans were approved it would create 16 full-time and 14 part-time jobs at the hotel, and staff would be on site 24 hours a day.

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Four objections were received by the council raising concerns of ‘further noise and smells to one of the busiest roads in Hartlepool’

However Hartlepool Civic Society said they were ‘pleased to see plans for the repair and re-use of Wilton Grange’.

A statement from the group said: “The Society is pleased to support this application as it represents an outstanding project which will undoubtedly secure the future of this listed building and also provide a valuable new facility for Hartlepool’s future.

“We look forward to seeing the completed project and we wish Mr Atkinson every success with Hartlepool’s first boutique hotel.“

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The Grade II listed building was built at the start of the 20th Century by local builder Henry Barnes, and was previously a training school for hospital nursing staff.

It forms part of the The Park Conservation Area which has been considered to be at risk since 2016 due to the loss of buildings and inappropriate development to the southern boundary.

The building was left unused and to ‘decay somewhat’ before the current owners purchased the property last year, the applicant said.

Proposals also include a car park providing 27 guest parking spaces, including two disabled bays, and three staff parking spaces.

The planning committee meeting will take place at 10am at the Civic Centre on Wednesday.

Nic Marko , Local Democracy Reporting Service