Flats plans decision put on hold over fears of creating 'ghetto situation' in Hartlepool
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Councillors refused plans for the first site on the agenda, at 54 Belk Street, voting unanimously to reject the proposals on account of fears of anti-social behaviour and crime.
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Hide AdAfter beginning discussions on the second site, 9 Greenwood Road, councillors voted unanimously to defer making a decision on the remaining 10 applications, as they had questions to ask of the applicant, who did not turn up to the meeting.
The motion was initially raised by Cllr Brenda Loynes, before being seconded by Cllr Marjorie James, who hit out at the applicant for not attending the meeting.
Cllr James said: “We need dialogue with the actual provider and quite clearly they are just not interested in coming to the table, so I would take that as an example of the way they treat the tenants and the communities which they live in.”
The plans come as part of the Homes England ‘Move On’ initiative, which provides funds to convert high turnover and unused houses into quality properties, providing additional smaller units to those in need.
In rejecting the plans for the first site in Belk Street, councillors supported the concerns raised by seven residents who objected to the proposals over fears of crime.
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Hide AdCllr Carl Richardson said: “It is not against the scheme as such, for me it’s the area where it’s going in.
“There is a need for single accommodation but we shouldn’t be putting single accommodation in one particular area.
“I do fear if this goes ahead you could create a ghetto situation in those particular areas because I think they’re too close together, I believe in diversity and it should be across the town.”
Cllr Brenda Harrison, De Bruce representative, attended the meeting to voice her concerns over the plans.
She said while she is in favour of the scheme in general, the site was not appropriate, and she also raised concerns over a lack of consultation with residents.
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Hide AdShe said: “What I have great concerns about is the area that has been targeted, specifically as far as I’m concerned the West View area.
“I don’t think that Home Group has given enough thought to where these properties are in terms of the intelligence of the area itself and what happens in the area, and what has happened historically.
“There is an awful lot of assurances needed by Home Group about this scheme and there were a lot of rumours that were set off because, I think, of a lack of openness and honesty in the first place.”
Cllr Karen King, also a De Bruce representative, hit out against the plans and said her first priority is the residents in the area.
She said: “I totally agree and understand their concerns when it comes to things like parking, antisocial behaviour, noise issues and a whole range of other issues.
“I’m totally against these planning applications going ahead.”
In total proposals have been submitted for 25 homes across Hartlepool to be converted into 50 one bed flats, along with creating a management hub to support residents.
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Hide AdA design and access statement from RNJ Construction Consultants on behalf of the applicant, stated the scheme will have physical and social benefits to Hartlepool.
It said: “Homes England’s Move on Fund is intended to provide necessary accommodation and support to enable independent living, particularly targeted at those leaving homelessness services or domestic violence services.
“Property intervention will deliver regeneration, thereby improving the quality of life for existing and new customers, reducing antisocial behaviour.”