Mixed feelings as bungalow development approved for former Inspirations garden centre site in Hartlepool

Hartlepool Borough Council Planning Committee has approved plans to carry out the work at the former Inspirations Garden Centre in Tanfield Road.

The plans from North Star Housing Development state they will demolish the building and the remaining greenhouses at the site and create 17 two-bedroom bungalows, including two which will be wheelchair accessible.

The development will also look to provide an improved access road and car parking spaces to serve the bungalows.

Councillors on the planning committee unanimously approved the proposals at their meeting on Wednesday, January 13.

Cllr Brenda Loynes, speaking at the meeting, said it ‘saddens her’ to see the garden centre gone, but acknowledged there is a ‘desperate need’ for bungalows in Hartlepool.

She said: “Although I know we need bungalows, and I will support this application, I just feel so annoyed that this building is going to be knocked down.

“It hasn’t been built that long, I would think probably about six or seven years ago, the garden centre was doing really well, before the new build was built.

“I just feel we haven’t marketed it enough and we should have tried to sell the garden centre and let somebody privately buy it and make a go of it.

“It does sadden me to see that a garden centre has gone, but I will support the application because I know we do desperately need the bungalows.”

Ahead of the meeting nine objections had been submitted by residents raising concerns it could lead to parking issues in the area.

However a report from council planning officers noted the applicant has taken steps to address initial parking concerns, while it is not expected car ownership would be high among bungalow residents.

Therefore the plans had been recommended for approval ahead of the meeting.

A design and access statement from HMH Architects, on behalf of the applicant, previously stated the bungalows would improve the housing offer in the area and provide an attractive development.

It said: “The proposed use would be complementary to the adjoining residential area and is located conveniently within a short distance of local amenities.

“The proposed scheme aims to tie in with the surrounding context whilst looking to improve the quality of the surrounding area and housing on offer.

“The number of units is appropriate to the size of the site and would achieve an open and attractive development.”

The final approval is subject to securing financial contributions from the developer to benefit the area.

This includes £4,250 towards green infrastructure, £4,250 towards built sports facilities, £3,965.93 towards playing pitches, £969.34 for tennis courts, £84.49 for bowling greens, £4,250 towards play facilities and £4,250 for off-site ecological mitigation.

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