Controversial affordable homes development approved for Greatham on second attempt

The proposals will see the homes provided at land at Hill View in Greatham, and were approved despite more than 100 objections from residents.

Submitted by officers at Hartlepool Borough Council, plans state all properties will be owned and managed by the local authority through the choice-based lettings system, and the site would consist of 100% affordable rent properties.

Plans for 18 homes on the land were initially refused by the council planning committee in July 2020, before modified plans were submitted in the autumn.

On Wednesday, January 13, councillors approved the proposals, arguing they need more social housing in the area, and it gives young people from the village an opportunity to stay there.

This was despite more than 100 objections being received to the resubmitted plans, including from the Greatham Residents Association and the Hartlepool Rural Neighbourhood Plan Group.

Trish Stephenson, who spoke at the planning committee on behalf of objectors, said the application had provoked an ‘unprecedented number of objections.’

She added the plans were out of character with the area, there is no need for this type of housing in Greatham, and the inclusion of an alleyway or ‘ginnel’ to the back of the plans could lead to crime.

She said: “The residents are very fearful that an unlit alleyway of this length will encourage criminals and antisocial behaviour to the rear of their properties that they previously felt were safe and secure.

“The proposal is to build houses in a rural area to meet an urban need, this will remove the village’s limited ability to provide appropriate housing for the community.

“We also know from experience there is a lack of demand because there are already empty rental properties within the village.”

She added: “The density is even more compounded than the previous application, the ginnel is a crime magnet and a design disaster, there is policy and documentation that proves this housing is not required or appropriate.”

However Tim Wynn, speaking on behalf of the council department behind the plans, said they do not share the view of objectors that such housing is not needed in the area.

He also added the alley to the back of the new homes would include a locked gate which only residents with direct access to the path will have a key for.

Mr Wynn said: “We believe that this modest scheme for the affordable rented housing held long term by the council should be applauded.

“Schemes such as this are proven to be a major test of the council’s will to expand its affordable housing basis.”

Council leader Cllr Shane Moore also spoke at the meeting in his position as chair of the finance and policy committee, and said the plans would help grow the council’s housing revenue account.

He said: “We now want to take the next step and begin once again building good quality affordable and secure homes for our residents.

“Anyone who’s looked at the housing market lately will tell you it’s broken, charging extortionate rates which push many local residents out of the village they may have grown up in and wish to stay in.

“Residents are guaranteed to know who’s in control, who the landlord is, if there are any unlikely issues they know who to come to and we can resolve it, because we have a good and proven track record.”

Cllr Moore also hit out at claims officers ‘cut corners’ because the plans came from another Hartlepool Borough Council department.

He said the length of the report on the application shows they have gone ‘above and beyond’ to follow necessary procedures.

In total 10 councillors on the committee voted in favour of the application with just one, Cllr Carl Richardson, voting against.

Cllr Marjorie James said: “The fact is that in many villages, not just in Hartlepool but nationally, the young people from that village are quite often pushed out because there is no opportunity for them to stay.”

Cllr Brenda Loynes, who represents the area on the council as a Rural West ward representative, also backed the plans.

She said: “Greatham does need more social housing.

“There are people who are having to move out of the village, there are sons and daughters who are ready to leave home but are having to find somewhere in the town or elsewhere in another village, and that isn’t right.

“Surely if there are more people that live in the village then people might want to invest more.”

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