Blueprint for the future of Hartlepool's green spaces

A planning document looking at green infrastructure in the area is to go before a remote meeting of Hartlepool Borough Council regeneration services committee next week.

The meeting will be streamed live via YouTube due to measures in place to protect residents from Covid-19, and will be the first time the committee has met since Wednesday, March 11, due to the pandemic.

Councillors on the committee will discuss the green infrastructure supplementary planning document which, when adopted, will help shape green spaces for years to come in Hartlepool.

The vision of the document states ‘By 2029 Hartlepool will have a high quality, multifunctional, accessible green infrastructure network which enhances the community’s quality of life and sustains wildlife’.

The document, drawn up following a 10 week consultation, would be used to help ensure any new developments, such as housing plans, supply suitable green spaces, while also looking to make the best use of existing land.

This will involve looking at areas such as parks in the town, such as Summerhill Country Park, Ward Jackson Park and Rossmere Park, as well as looking at what is best for rural areas of Hartlepool and smaller parcels of land.

Objectives for the plans include protecting a ‘high quality visual landscape and townscape’ and enhancing the ‘unique character, heritage and sense of place’ of such green sites.

It also aims to provide a ‘network of interconnected green infrastructure and spaces rich in habitat’ and be home to a diverse range of wildlife, according to the plans.

It also wants to protect and enhance ‘a wide range of high quality opportunities for safe and accessible formal and informal sport, recreation and leisure facilities’.

Officers behind the report say it will all play a ‘critical role’ in helping to improve the health of residents through providing opportunities for recreation and sustainable travel.

An action plan has also been drawn up to look to set targets and key projects for individual areas to best make use of the green space.

Ahead of the meeting council officers have recommended the document is submitted to full council for adoption.

The regeneration services committee meeting will take place on Thursday, July 23, from 2pm and will be streamed live via YouTube.

Hartlepool Borough Council will make a link for the meeting available at least 24 hours in advance.

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