New car park approved for Hartlepool's High Tunstall College of Science

Proposals were submitted to Hartlepool Borough Council planning department earlier this year by staff at High Tunstall College of Science to remodel the school’s car park on Elwick Road.

The plans from headteacher Mark Tilling stated they want to improve the layout of the car park and increase the number of car parking spaces from 130 to 255.

On top of this the plans also looked to create an additional 17 disability spaces.

Council planning officers have now confirmed the proposals have been given the green light, with no objections submitted.

A report from senior planning officer Jane Tindall noted the development would improve the parking facilities at the site.

She said: “The proposed development would enhance the car parking area within the school site and is considered to be acceptable in principle.

“It is not considered that the development would adversely affect the amenity of neighbouring land users or the visual amenity of the surrounding area.”

It comes after the school opened a new £17million state-of-the art facility last November which replaced around three quarters of the existing High Tunstall school site on Elwick Road.

Street lighting, CCTV and a security fence/gate around the perimeter of the whole site will also be included in the development.

Additional pedestrian access to the school will be provided by a new gated footway link from Elwick Road to the North West of the site.

A planning statement previously submitted on behalf of the school stated the car park remodelling was crucial.

It said: “The car park is poorly laid out and does not provide enough car parking for both staff and visitors with minimal disabled parking bays.

“It does not meet the needs and requirements for the new college.

“The new car park is vital to the success of the college and will minimise the need for staff and visitors to park off site.

“The layout also gives drivers a much more conventional, uniform layout so will increase the efficiency of its use by minimising the time spent driving around looking for a parking space.”

A new access road for vehicles will also be provided off the roundabout at Elwick Road/Dunston Road, with the existing car park access route closing.

This comes as Hartlepool Borough Council is to increase the size of the roundabout as part of highway improvements needed to facilitate a new access road for the proposed Elwick bypass linking to the A19.

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