Delay over 220-home plans for Elwick Road development in Hartlepool

At the end of last year, Hartlepool Borough Council planning department gave outline planning permission for a 220 home residential development off Elwick Road.

The site lies to the west of Cairnston Road and to the south of Worset Lane and has an area of approximately 11.3 hectares.

Subsequently earlier this year a reserved matters application was submitted by Barratt Homes North East Ltd for the site, looking to detail the layout, scale and appearance of the proposed new housing development.

Hartlepool Borough Council Planning Committee was due to make a decision on the plans at its meeting on Wednesday, but a vote was passed by councillors to defer making a decision until the New Year to allow for a site visit.

Coun Stephen Akers-Belcher, who sits on the committee, said he was disappointed the decision was deferred and sympathised with those who turned up to the meeting to hear the proposals.

He said: “When members want a site visit they should have the courtesy to bring this forward when the agenda comes forward.

“It’s very unfair for developers and residents to sit in meetings and then on a whim decide whether there is going to be a site visit.”

In total 33 objections have been lodged against the plans from residents, raising concerns over inadequate access, over-development of the site, strains on local services, air pollution and a loss of views and greenbelt land.

The proposals had been recommended for refusal prior to the meeting, with officers stating the plans did not meet minimum separation distances between properties or have well-designed off-street parking.

However it was explained to councillors further information had since been submitted by the applicant which led to council planning officers changing the recommendation to one of approval.

Ryan Cowley, senior planning officer, said: “In summary in view of the amended plans and details, officers now consider on balance that the concerns and reasons for refusal have been satisfactorily addressed and it is recommended for approval.”