Councillors using Google Earth to help decide on Hartlepool planning applications during pandemic - but hope to find better solution

Councillors on Hartlepool Borough Council’s Planning Committee can usually request a site visit to take place before deciding on an application, allowing all members to see the area in question before making a decision.

However due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic council officers have now said they will draw up a list of alternative suggestions of what can be done instead.

Previously the planning committee has held some ‘virtual’ site visits while the pandemic has been ongoing, viewing sites using Google Earth technology, which were praised by councillors.

However at recent meetings there have been requests for physical site visits at some sites, such as the application for permission for sheds and fencing as part of the Meadowcroft Mews development, which Google Earth does not have an up to date view of.

Cllr Brenda Loynes, who previously requested the site visit, asked for an update on the situation at the latest planning committee meeting.

Planning officers noted although they would legally be able to carry out site visits, it would be better to not do so, and a report will come forward looking at alternative options.

Kieran Bostock, council assistant director for place management, said: “While legally I think we can undertake site visits as part of the workplace, we’ve got to consider reputationally what we’re doing as an authority as well.

“If we’re telling people not to meet in groups of more than six, advising against non essential travel, and then we’re seen to be out there in a group, so we’ve got to be mindful of that.

“I’m proposing to bring a paper to be discussed at the next committee meeting with a range of options of how we take site visits forward.”

Cllr Stephen Akers-Belcher added there ‘must be a way’ of coming to a resolution in regards to the situation, such as using technology or photographs.

He said: “Surely there must be another way of doing this rather than everyone getting on a bus in a group, because you’re right, it’s not good from a reputational point of view, but I think there are other methods which can be used.”

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