New Hartlepool substance misuse treatment centre to be built on current site after relocation plans were scrapped

Hartlepool Borough Council bosses first said several years ago that the town’s Whitby Street substance misuse treatment centre needed to be replaced, noting it was “no longer fit for purpose”.

Previously a new site had been proposed for Roker Street car park although this was scrapped in July 2023 following hundreds of objections.

This included concerns from nearby businesses over the potential loss of valuable car parking and the impact the development would have on their staff and customers.

Council chiefs have now outlined how, following the “consideration of various options”, it has been determined the most appropriate location is the existing site.

The latest authority-wide meeting of the council heard it is therefore proposed to place a new, larger Portakabin modular building offering “improved modern accommodation for staff and service users” on the existing Whitby Street site.

Denise McGuckin, the council’s managing director, speaking at the meeting, said: “Councillors will be aware that the Whitby Street substance misuse treatment centre needs to be replaced.

“A new build site at Roker Street had been proposed and funding of around £3million was agreed to support this new build. We did receive quite a lot of objections to this and it did not proceed.

“Following consideration of a number of sites it has been determined that we will demolish the existing site and build a new one, and we’ll put staff in temporary accommodation while that is happening.”

She added due to the change of site and associated delays the cost for providing the building has risen to £3.6million, including project management fees and contingencies.

The costs will be met through the previously agreed capital funding of £3million for the project.

Meanwhile council chiefs outlined how the remaining amount will be met through £27,000 in grant funding and cash from a capital receipt and their substance misuse and public health reserves.

Councillors at the October 3 meeting approved the scheme variation and pushing forward with seeking an agreement with Portakabin.

Officers added this will allow them to “secure progress and avoid further escalation of costs”.