Major improvements approved for Hartlepool's Seaton Carew Sports and Social Club - here's what to expect

Earlier this year proposals were submitted to Hartlepool Borough Council planning department for work to be carried out at Seaton Carew Sports and Social Club in Elizabeth Way.

The plans, submitted by Monica Vaughan from the club, are for a second story extension including a new larger function room, kitchen and meeting room.

A new entrance lobby is to be created, while the existing first floor balcony is to be replaced with a larger purpose-built terrace.

The existing balcony is ‘in a state of disrepair’ and is not open to the public, while the new larger steel-frame balcony would provide a viewing gallery over the cricket and sports fields.

Planning officers have now given the proposals the go-ahead, with a report from senior officer Jane Tindall confirming they have been given the green light.

A design and access statement previously submitted by ASP Associates, on behalf of the applicant, states the plans will modernise the site and improve facilities.

It said: “These proposals to the site and building are required to improve the club’s facilities for its members and general public users and bring the whole club up to modern 21st century standards to meet with the surrounding area requirements.

“In summary, this is a fairly simple development that would not be out of place or overwhelming to the surrounding area and neighbouring properties/activities.

“The proposals would provide a much better functional use of the club for its users and we therefore believe that this application be considered reasonable for approval under the local authorities planning department.”

Plans state the development will also feature a new pedestrian entrance to the front of the site and additional overflow car park facilities.

The car park is also to be extended to the right of the entrance to the site and using ‘grasscrete’ will provide an additional 50 parking spaces, according to the plans.

The sports and social club was initially built in the mid to late 1970s and in 2009 permission was given for an extension to be built to provide new changing rooms for sports teams.

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