How decisions will be made on building developments in Hartlepool as pandemic rages on

Councillors on Hartlepool Borough Council Planning Committee can usually request a physical site visit to take place before deciding on an application, allowing all members to see the area in question before making a decision.

However since the start of the Covid-19 outbreak this has not been possible, and in some instances virtual site visits have been carried out using Google Earth to aid councillors making decisions.

Cllr Mike Young, chair of the planning committee, raised a motion at the latest meeting calling for digital site visits to be used for at least the next six months, when the situation will be reviewed.

This will include using all technology available to them, such as officers taking photographs and going out to live stream video to show a 360 degree view where needed, as well as using Google Earth.

Cllr Young said: “My proposal is that we use all the technology at our disposal to conduct a digital site visit.

“What we do have an issue with, with some of the newer applications, as has been highlighted in previous meetings, is the fact that a lot of stuff that is new, and a lot of premises and buildings that are new, won’t appear on Google Earth.

“So the need for further technology, the use of photographs and videos and all that kind of thing, should form part of a digital site visit.

“We’re looking at a situation where we are no further forward and because we can’t determine that, we need to come up with a plan, and I would suggest that is for at least six months.”

He added the virtual site visit previously carried out by the council during the summer was a success in the view of most councillors.

The motion was unanimously backed by councillors on the committee, who deemed it the best option given the increased Covid-19 restrictions.

Cllr Cameron Stokell, who seconded the motion, said: “With the lockdown, a virtual site visit would be the best way forward at this moment in time.”

The virtual package would be considered and tailored for each application, according to council officers.

Cllr Marjorie James also moved that the digital visit takes place immediately before a planning committee meeting, to ensure the decision of councillors remains independent, which was fully supported.

One application where the technology will be used is to decide on proposals for sheds and fencing as part of the Meadowcroft Mews development, which has been awaiting a site visit for several months.

Hartlepool Borough Council has been holding all council meetings remotely via video call since halting physical meetings in March as the coronavirus situation in the UK worsened, with councillors and officers finding new ways to get important business done as the pandemic has continued.

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