Holidays in Hartlepool - plans in for family holiday cottages at Dalton Piercy as destination expands

Proposals have been submitted to Hartlepool Borough Council planning department to increase the number of properties at the Abbey Hill Cottages site in Dalton Piercy.

Submitted by Peter Reed, plans state they are looking to provide four new four-bedroom cottages to help accommodate more families at the site.

The existing development comprises of ten holiday cottages, one fishing pond and one wildlife pond, with six two-bed detached holiday cottages and four three-bed semi-detached holiday cottages.

A planning statement on behalf of Mr Reed states the new cottages will help meet the demand from families wanting to visit the site.

It said: “More recently there have been a number of enquiries for family and group size accommodation larger than the three beds.

“Also there has been a requirement for more than one bathroom which is not currently provided.

“The lack of an extra bathroom accounts for 90% of non-bookings. The complex at present has no suitable sized accommodation.”

Documents add the appearance of the new cottages would reflect the appearance of the existing site, with the same materials used.

Each cottage would have its own car parking spaces and there is an existing central car park immediately to the west of the proposed site.

The planning statement also noted how the proposals for four new cottages will improve the rural tourist development and could bring ‘almost £350,000 per year into the local economy’.

It said: “We believe that the proposal would bring further economic benefits to the area, increasing tourist spending within the general area.

“The proposal, which would accord with the tourist objectives to increase visitor numbers, improve standards of accommodation, lengthen stay of visitors and enhance the tourism product within the area.

“This sector is predicted to increase faster than the British economy average. Whatever the figures that this proposal will generate, the investment into the local economy for some small businesses would be significant.”

It adds the self catering rented accommodation offered is ‘economically beneficial’ to an area, encouraging longer stays and above average spending.

A decision is expected to be made on the proposals by the council planning department next month.

To view and comment on the planning application visit the Hartlepool Borough Council planning portal online and search reference number H/2020/0453.

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