Hartlepool Wetherspoons pub The Ward Jackson to get new beer garden after plans approved

Proposals were submitted to Hartlepool Borough Council planning department earlier this year to convert the car park at the back of the Ward Jackson Pub into an extended beer garden.

The plans from JD Wetherspoon state the company is looking to improve the existing facilities at the Church Square pub and create a ‘welcoming environment’ for customers.

A report from council planning officer Stephanie Bell has confirmed the plans are acceptable for the area and have been given the go-ahead.

She said: “The proposed extension of the beer garden at the Ward Jackson public house is considered to be acceptable in terms of visual amenity, neighbour amenity, highways and tree preservation.

“The proposal is therefore considered acceptable in terms of the policies…of the Hartlepool Local Plan.”

The new extended garden area will run to the edge of the existing car park at the site, which will see the loss of six car parking spaces.

However none of the spaces were designated for disabled use and are currently designated as two hours maximum stay only.

Council public protection bosses have advised the new beer garden can be open to residents from 9am until 10.30pm to ensure no neighbouring properties are disturbed by noise.

Plans state the new garden area will see a wooden pergola with a glazed top installed stretching from one of the corners of the site, which will provide cover over several new tables and more than a dozen seats.

Plans include a central covered ‘drinks shelf’ area in the garden, featuring a taller, narrower table covered by a canopy, along with a ‘paved floor finish’ and artificial grass installed at the site.

They also include new lighting across the garden, aiming to make a ‘more welcoming’ environment, more tables and chairs, and a fence along the boundary.

A planning statement, previously submitted on behalf of the applicant by Harrison Ince Architects, states the plans should improve the pub for the benefit of customers and the wider area.

It said: “The works aim to improve the existing garden facilities along with extending into the existing car park to create a welcoming environment for customers to the site.

“The proposed investment would improve the leisure facilities available at the site and would refresh the existing facilities within the site.

“The proposed development aims to improve the leisure facilities at the site attracting more guests and increasing the tourism income for the area.”

Two objections had been submitted to the council over the plans, raising issues such as an increase in noise and that the 30 minute free parking bays on Tower Street will be used by pub customers, causing issues for local businesses in the area.

However council officers noted a beer garden is already in place at the site, and the free parking areas restricted to half an hour operate between 8am and 6pm Monday to Saturday, which would ‘generally make them unsuitable’ for pub users.

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