162-home development approved off Elwick Road in Hartlepool

Hartlepool Borough Council Planning Committee this week unanimously approved proposals from Story Homes to build the properties to the south of Elwick Road, High Tunstall.

The reserved matters application proposed details of the layout, scale and appearance of the new housing development.

It came after an outline planning application was previously approved last year to build 1,200 homes across the land south of Elwick Road.

The plans from Story Homes will contribute 162 houses towards that site, including a range of three, four and five bedroom properties.

Amanda Stephenson from Story Homes, speaking to the planning committee, said the proposals are in line with the High Tunstall masterplan to develop the site, and will benefit the area.

She said: “We are proposing a high quality development which will hopefully set the tone for the development of the wider masterplan area.

“We’ve worked hard with local and national stakeholders to develop this scheme and modified it and revised it where appropriate.

“Our proposals are for a choice of family homes, ranging from first time buyers to larger family dwellings, which we hope really do link themselves to the aspirations of Hartlepool.”

The site is to be accessed via a new singular vehicle access point taken from Elwick Road, according to proposals.

Cllr Brenda Loynes had asked if a roundabout would be put near the site due to receiving frequent concerns from residents over the ‘absolutely horrendous’ speed of traffic around Elwick Road.

Daniel James, council planning team leader, said as part of the wider 1,200 home development for the area, in the North West corner of the site it’s proposed a roundabout or other form of ‘strategic junction’ will be installed to serve the majority of the properties.

He added a secondary access road will also serve up to 208 of the homes, including the 162 as part of the Story Homes application.

He also said there are conditions in place in the approved outline planning permission for requirements for speed reduction measures and other highway mitigation works along Elwick Road.

Ahead of the meeting eight objections were submitted by residents, raising concerns such as increased traffic, overdevelopment and the loss of agricultural and green belt land.

Similar concerns had also been raised by the Hartlepool Rural Neighbourhood Plan Group and Elwick Parish Council.

However council planning officers had recommended proposals were approved ahead of the meeting, noting the homes were of a ‘good design’ and in keeping with the area and its planning policies.

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