Decision delayed over controversial Greatham housing development

Hartlepool Borough Council Planning Committee had been due to make a decision on the proposals for the land at Hill View in Greatham.

However councillors voted to defer making a decision on the plans until their next meeting to allow a site visit to take place to gain further information.

Councillors noted it would be a ‘virtual’ site visit due to Covid-19 restrictions, using Google Earth technology and photographs of the site.

However council officers said they could look at carrying out other options, such as physical site visits with certain measures in place to adhere to Covid-19 guidance and restrictions, if required.

As part of the plans, submitted by Hartlepool Borough Council, all 18 properties would be owned and managed by the local authority through the choice-based lettings system.

The site would consist of 100% affordable rent properties.

Ahead of the meeting 41 objections had been submitted to the plans including concerns the homes could have a detrimental impact on highway and pedestrian safety, cause a loss of open space, and there is no need for more houses in the area.

The council had also been notified a request had been made to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government to ‘call in’ the application if councillors approve it.

This means the local authority would no longer make the final decision, although it normally only happens if the application conflicts with national policy in important ways, or is “nationally significant”.

Ahead of the meeting a report from senior council planning officer Ryan Cowley had recommended councillors on the committee approved the plans.

He said: “The application is considered to be acceptable with respect to the relevant material planning considerations and is considered to be in accordance with the relevant policies of the adopted Hartlepool Local Plan 2018.”

The 18 homes would be made up of two two bedroom properties, 10 three bed sites, two four bed houses and four bungalows.

Those objecting to the plans include Hartlepool Rural Neighbourhood Plan Group, Greatham Parish Council, Elwick Parish Council and Hartlepool Civic Society.

An objection submitted by Greatham Residents’ Association said they were ‘almost universally opposed’ to the plans.

However documents from planning agent Gus Robinson Developments Ltd, acting on behalf of the council, state the proposals are ‘a great opportunity’ to develop the Hill View site.

Both the applicant and objectors will get the chance to speak to the planning committee to express their arguments at the next meeting before a decision is made.

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