Concerns over 'urban sprawl' and road system as 160-home development off Hartlepool's Elwick Road comes under spotlight

Proposals were submitted to Hartlepool Borough Council earlier this year by Story Homes to develop the site on land to the south of Elwick Road with a range of three, four and five bedroom properties.

However objections from residents over the plans have raised concerns such as a loss of green space, traffic issues and pressure on schools.

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

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

To date eight objections have been submitted by residents living nearby to the proposed site, along with concerns raised by Elwick Parish Council.

The parish council response said they wanted to lodge their ongoing objection to any development before the proposed Elwick by-pass opens, and raised concerns over the potential for ‘300+ extra vehicles’ on the roads.

It said: “The applicant states that Elwick Road is a route to the A19, thus indicating they have taken no cognisance of the limitations of the current road infrastructure.

“This narrow and winding road passes through Elwick village and now gives access only to the A19 southbound carriageway.

“The village is already overwhelmed by the volume of traffic using the road at peak travel times.”

Objections from residents also raised further concerns over the impact on roads nearby, along with other issues.

A Chelker Close resident said: “The change will have a major effect on the landscape of the town that will be irreversible.

“Surely the overdevelopment at this side of the town must be reconsidered as do we really want to make this area of Hartlepool an urban sprawl.”

A Mayfair Gardens resident added: “These cars from these houses will present a significant safety hazard in and around the Elwick Road area.

“Cars from these houses will further add to parking problems already experienced by residents living around the West Park Primary School catchment area.”

However a planning statement on behalf of the applicant states it will offer a high quality residential development which would benefit the town.

It said: “The proposed mix of 3,4 and 5 bed dwellings are consistent with Hartlepool Borough Council’s policy aspiration for delivering family and executive dwellings.

“The areas of open space will be maintained to ensure that they provide high quality areas for the enjoyment of residents and visitors to the development.

“The development will contribute to meeting the housing requirement in Hartlepool during the early period of the housing trajectory for the borough.”

In total there are 12 different types of houses which would form part of the development, which would feature 27 five bedroom detached properties, 105 four bed detached properties and 14 three bed detached properties.

There would also be 16 three-bed semi-detached properties as part of the plans.

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

The site is primarily agricultural land, extending from Elwick Road southwards, and covers an area of 10.94 hectares.

A decision is expected to be made on the proposals by the council planning department in the near future.

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