Drinkers and diners to be served again at closed Hartlepool pub after bar plans approved

Proposals were submitted earlier this year to convert a vacant unit at the shopping parade at the former Saxon pub site in Easington Road into a bar, which would also offer food.

However six objections were submitted by residents to the plans, raising concerns such as alcohol misuse in the area, its closeness to a children’s playground, and worries over litter, noise and anti-social behaviour.

Councillors on Hartlepool Borough Council Planning Committee unanimously approved the proposals at their meeting on Wednesday, August 19, agreeing with officer advice to give the development the go-ahead.

Rod Hepplewhite from Prism Planning, speaking on behalf of applicant Mr M Jagpal from Ingleby Barwick Land and Property Developments, told the committee the proposal would benefit the area.

He said: “This proposal will enable the unit to be brought back into beneficial use.

“Moreover the proposals will have a beneficial impact on the character, the appearance and the long term viability of the Saxon local centre and will provide a small scale social and leisure facility for local residents."

He added the unit has essentially stood vacant since the completion of the Saxon redevelopment in Jan 2017, apart from a brief three month period when it was occupied by a florist.

Objections submitted to the council ahead of the meeting also raised concerns over litter being thrown into gardens, anti-social behaviour and the lack of detail in the plans, along with alcohol misuse issues.

No residents spoke at the meeting to object to the plans, while the council’s public health team and Cleveland Police were consulted and offered no objections to the proposal.

Proposed opening hours for the site are 11am to 11pm seven days a week and the move would create two full time and two part time jobs.

Mr M Jagpal had previously submitted plans to change the same site into a hot food takeaway, but proposals were rejected by the council planning department.

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