Plans approved for 81 bungalows at new Hartlepool housing development on former school site in Brierton Lane

Local housing provider the Thirteen Group last year submitted plans to Hartlepool Borough Council for 81 bungalows on part of the former Brierton school site on Brierton Lane.

Plans state all of the bungalows, 71 being two-bedroom and 10 being three-bedroom, will be affordable and will be aimed at people who are aged over 55 and those with care needs.

Councillors on Hartlepool Borough Council Planning Committee unanimously approved the plans after in-depth discussions over issues such as traffic and improving play facilities in the area.

Stuart Hutchinson, speaking on behalf of Thirteen Group, said they were committed to providing a development to benefit the area after consultations over the best design.

He said: “We tried very hard to create a scheme that would be a place in its own right and a very pleasant place to live.

“It will be a very accessible development…which is important for people with limited mobility, and it does give them some private garden space.

“Access to the bungalows for the most part is through landscaped courtyards with parking sites within that, and Thirteen will maintain that landscape.”

Two objections were received from residents raising concerns over congestion, a loss of view, a detrimental impact on the look of the site and a potential rise in dog fouling.

Councillors also raised concerns over traffic issues around Brierton Lane and Catcote Road, stating it could worsen with further developments.

Coun Stephen Akers-Belcher said: “I want to know if anything is going to be done to alleviate the problems on Brierton Lane and Catcote Road because it is a concern of residents in relation to the volume of traffic at that particular junction.”

Council officers said plans are in place to alter the road layout to improve the situation once a set target of new homes in the area is met, which is 300 properties.

They added the funding is secured for an update on the junction and is expected to be brought forward in the next few years.

Coun Akers-Belcher added it is ‘unacceptable’ residents could have to wait two years but added there are families in the area ‘crying out’ for the bungalow provision.

The plans being formally approved is subject to developer contributions being finalised to improve provisions in the area.

These include financial contributions towards tennis courts of £4,618.62, bowling greens of £402.57 and play facilities of £20,250.

Coun Marjorie James, councillor for the area, said it is important discussions were held with representatives for the ward over where the play equipment money would be spent.

It comes after she raised how the ward does not have any dedicated play areas for under 12s.

It was agreed the exact location of where the money would be spent would be left ‘absent’ for now to hold talks with ward councillors to identify the best location to spend the play facilities money.