Decision due on 220-home development off Hartlepool's Elwick Road

Hartlepool Borough Council Planning Committee last month deferred making a decision on proposals for a 220 home residential development off Elwick Road to allow them to conduct a site visit.

The site subject to the plans from Barratt Homes North East lies to the west of Cairnston Road and to the south of Worset Lane and has an area of approximately 11.3 hectares.

An outline application for the development has already been given planning approval, with the latest proposals detailing the layout, scale and appearance of the proposed new housing development.

In total 40 objections have been lodged against the plans from residents, raising concerns such as inadequate access, over-development of the site, strains on local services, air pollution and a loss of views and greenbelt land.

However the proposal is to go before the planning committee again on Tuesday, January 21, with council officers recommending the homes are approved.

A report from Ryan Cowley, senior planning officer, said: “The proposals are now considered to be acceptable with respect to the impact on the amenity and privacy of neighbouring land users.

“The applicant has sought to work with the local planning authority to address previous concerns with respect to inadequate separation distances and poor relationships between dwellings in parts of the site.”

The plans were initially recommended for refusal by council planning officers ahead of the last meeting, before more information was submitted by the applicant leading to them being recommended for approval.

Representatives from Barratt Homes, speaking after the last meeting, said the homes will provide a boost to Hartlepool and they are committed to making contributions to sport, education and highways in the area.

They said: “The Elwick development has been carefully designed in-line with the Hartlepool Local Plan, and will offer a total of 220 well-designed two, three and four-bedroom homes, as well as the provision of 4.1ha of multi-functional green infrastructure.

“This open space includes footpaths, cycleways and outdoor play areas, and will provide an attractive and useable open space for residents of the proposed development and the surrounding village of Elwick.”

Plans state the scheme is to be comprised of 29 two bedroom properties, 93 three bedroom sites and 98 four bedroom sites across eight different classes and appearance of property.

A decision will be made at the council planning committee meeting at the Civic Centre at 10am on Tuesday January 21.