Plans for 50 new homes in Hartlepool back up before councillors

Plans are to go back before councillors over whether to allow 50 new homes to be built in Hartlepool.
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Hartlepool Borough Council planning committee are to decide next week on outline proposals for the two-storey properties on land at Nelson Farm, in Nelson Lane.

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However since then, the legal agreement has not progressed, with council officers stating they understand the applicant’s delay with the signing of the agreement was in part due to issues with drainage and third party land.

Land behind Nelson Lane, which is earmarked for 50 new homesLand behind Nelson Lane, which is earmarked for 50 new homes
Land behind Nelson Lane, which is earmarked for 50 new homes

Therefore the proposals will now have to go back before the council planning committee on Wednesday, April 14 for approval, following a variety of changes in planning framework locally and nationally during this time.

This included the adoption of the Hartlepool Local Plan in 2018, and due to the delay in securing planning contributions, if proposals are approved the costs to be paid towards education would increase.

A report from senior council planning officer Jane Tindall recommends the proposals are given the go-ahead, subject to the completion of a legal agreement to secure developer contributions.

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She said: “The benefits of the scheme would include additional housing to meet the housing needs of the borough, a proportion of affordable housing and employment created during the construction period, potential new homes bonus and increased council tax.

“The adverse impacts would include the loss of farmland, potential impacts on designated ecological sites, additional traffic, impact on the amenity of neighbours and the landscape.

“It is not considered therefore that any adverse impacts of the development would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits.”

Access to the homes would be from the existing turning head of Applewood Close, which is a cul-de-sac with access taken from Jaywood Close.

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Previously the proposals attracted 28 letters of objection, and one letter of support, and following a re-consultation over the proposals, nine objectors re-submitted their concerns.

These included worries over the increased traffic on existing roads, overdevelopment of the area, a loss of open space and increased noise.

The development would include five properties provided for affordable rent, made up of two and three bedroom homes, to fulfil affordable housing obligations.

As part of the legal agreement securing planning obligations, the developer would have to provide around £148,000 towards primary education in the area, and £97,000 to secondary education, along with £5,000 towards ecological mitigation measures.

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They would also need to contribute a total of more than £52,000 towards different sports and play facilities in the area.

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