Controversial Hartlepool housing plans set for approval - despite 'ghetto situation' fears

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.

In September, 11 of the applications were called before the council planning committee, with one rejected and the remaining 10 deferred to a future meeting.

This was due to crime and antisocial behaviour concerns and councillors wanting to speak to the applicant.

The applications, which will see each of the houses converted into two flats, are now scheduled to return before councillors at the planning committee meeting on Wednesday (September 16) for a decision to be made.

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

Reports ahead of the meeting from council planning officer Stephanie Bell recommend the plans are approved.

This is despite concerns from councillors at the previous meeting over the location of the properties and the potential to create a ‘ghetto situation’ in those particular areas.

In her report, Ms Bell said: “It is considered that the principle of the proposed change of use to two self-contained flats is acceptable.

“It is considered that the proposal would not give rise to adverse impacts upon the visual amenity, neighbour amenity, highway safety, community safety or any other planning matter.

“Furthermore, the proposal would bring a vacant building back into use.”

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.

The applications coming to the committee cover properties at 3 and 6 Henderson Grove, 9 and 25 Greenwood Road, along with one house in each of Middleton Road and Arkley Crescent.

Proposals will also be discussed at the meeting for 51 Bruce Crescent, 99 Winterbottom Avenue, 184 Jesmond Gardens and 43 Warren Road.

The number of objections for each plan varies from three, for numerous sites, to the 21 objections submitted against the Winterbottom Avenue proposals.

Since the previous meeting the 14 other applications submitted as part of the scheme, which all did not receive enough objections to take them before the council planning committee, have been approved under delegated powers.

This includes 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.

Council housing officers noted Hartlepool ‘has a significant and concerning shortage of one bedroom properties’ and an ‘oversupply of two and three bedroom properties’.

They added Home Group have said they have ‘allocated appropriate resources to manage these tenancies’ which will be of an improved condition.

A design and access statement from RNJ Construction Consultants, on behalf of the applicant, stated the scheme will have physical and social benefits to Hartlepool.

It said: “Homes England’s Move on Fund is intended to provide necessary accommodation and support to enable independent living, particularly targeted at those leaving homelessness services or domestic violence services.

“Property intervention will deliver regeneration, thereby improving the quality of life for existing and new customers, reducing anti-social behaviour.”

The planning committee meeting will take place on Wednesday, September 16, from 9.30am and will be streamed live via YouTube.

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