Controversial Hartlepool homes-to-flats plan approved in last chapter of planning saga

Councillors have backed plans to convert 10 houses into 20 flats as part of a scheme to help provide accommodation to vulnerable people and those in need in Hartlepool
Buildings in Greenwood Road are among those approved for the flats plans.Buildings in Greenwood Road are among those approved for the flats plans.
Buildings in Greenwood Road are among those approved for the flats plans.

Earlier this year proposals were submitted to Hartlepool Borough Council planning department from Home Group to convert a total of 25 homes located across the Clarence Road and West View estates into around 50 flats.

The flats would be particularly targeted at those leaving homelessness or domestic violence services, according to plans.

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A total of 10 of the applications went before the council planning committee on Wednesday, September 16, after previously being deferred by councillors last month for further talks.

Houses in Winterbottom Avenue are also among those in the proposals which were approved.Houses in Winterbottom Avenue are also among those in the proposals which were approved.
Houses in Winterbottom Avenue are also among those in the proposals which were approved.

Councillors on the committee approved all the proposals, which will see each house converted into two flats, adding it is important they support vulnerable people and those who live alone in Hartlepool.

Cllr Mike Young, chair of the committee, said: “We as Hartlepool are a community, the houses in Hartlepool that can be offered to residents of Hartlepool who are in need, are our community.

“We need to embrace our people and give them some hope and a home as part of that hope.”

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Cllr Young also praised Cllr Brenda Loynes for previously wanting to seek further clarification on the applications, adding the extra detail helped them come to the decision.

Other councillors on the committee also voiced their support for the plans, including Cllr Christopher Akers-Belcher, who added it was important they were approved.

He said: “The message if we reject this is Hartlepool as a town has little regard and does not care about vulnerable people.”

The approved plans cover sites at 3 and 6 Henderson Grove, 9 and 25 Greenwood Road, along with one house in each of Middleton Road and Arkley Crescent.

Proposals were also approved for 51 Bruce Crescent, 99 Winterbottom Avenue, 184 Jesmond Gardens and 43 Warren Road.

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John Brunetti, from Home Group, said they have 900 properties across Hartlepool and will have staff to provide intense support to those who move into the planned flats.

He said: “Our lettings activity demonstrates there is little to no demand for larger properties and a higher demand for one bedroom accommodation in Hartlepool.

“Our promise to customers is to provide safe, quality and affordable housing.

“Properties will be furnished and decorated to a high standard, encouraging people to take ownership and feel proud of where they live, investing in their community.”

People who will be catered for by the flats include those who may have been made homeless due to the impact of Covid-19, those facing relationship breakdowns, young people forced to leave home, and those fleeing domestic abuse.

He added over the next three years Home Group will be investing an additional £3million in Hartlepool.

Concerns had been raised by three ward councillors, Cllr Brenda Harrison, Cllr Karen King and Cllr Helen Howson, at the meeting over the plans.

Concerns raised included potential parking and anti-social behaviour worries which had been brought to their attention by residents, and the need for Home Group to build trust with the community.

Cllr Carl Richardson, who sits on the committee and objected to all but two of the applications, also raised concerns over the concentration of the sites.

He said: “I do support the scheme, what I object to is where these things are going. I think it’s absolutely wrong to put vulnerable people into areas all together.

“I also think there will be in some areas a lack of parking spaces, or are we saying these vulnerable people aren’t going to be allowed to have cars?

“I strongly object to where it’s going to be and I think it could create a ghetto situation, and really we should not do this.”

Council officers had said Hartlepool ‘has a significant and concerning shortage of one bedroom properties’ which the applications will help address.

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The plans come as part of the Homes England ‘Move On’ initiative, which provides funds to convert high turnover and unused houses into quality properties, providing additional smaller units to those in need.

This included plans to convert 10 Greenwood Road into a hub to provide on-site office space to support customers in nearby properties, while one flat would also be provided on the first floor.

Plans had been refused at a previous planning committee meeting for similar work to be carried out at 54 Belk Street as part of the scheme due to concerns over anti-social behaviour and crime.

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