Plans for new beer garden at Hartlepool's Ward Jackson Wetherspoon's pub

Proposals have been submitted to Hartlepool Borough Council planning department to convert the car park at the back of the Ward Jackson Pub into an extended beer garden.

The plans from JD Wetherspoon state they are looking to improve the existing facilities at the Church Square pub and create a ‘welcoming environment’ for customers.

The new garden area would see a wooden pergola with a glazed top installed stretching from one of the corners of the site, which will provide cover over several new tables and more than a dozen seats.

Plans include a central covered ‘drinks shelf’ area in the garden, featuring a taller, narrower table covered by a canopy, along with a ‘paved floor finish’ and artificial grass installed at the site.

They also include new lighting across the garden, aiming to make a ‘more welcoming’ environment, more tables and chairs, and a fence along the boundary.

A planning statement, submitted on behalf of the applicant by Harrison Ince Architects, states the plans should improve the pub for the benefit of customers and the wider area.

It said: “The works aim to improve the existing garden facilities along with extending into the existing car park to create a welcoming environment for customers to the site.

“The proposed investment would improve the leisure facilities available at the site and would refresh the existing facilities within the site.

“The proposed development aims to improve the leisure facilities at the site attracting more guests and increasing the tourism income for the area.”

The new extended garden area would run to the edge of the existing car park at the site, which would see the loss of six car parking spaces.

However none of the spaces were designated for disabled use and are currently designated as two hours maximum stay only.

Council traffic and transport officers noted the site is also located nearby to public car parks and on-street parking is in the vicinity.

The pub is named after Ralph Ward Jackson, known as the founder of the town and the first MP for Hartlepool, and there is also a monument in honour of him near the pub.

A decision is expected to be made on the plans by the Hartlepool Borough Council planning department by the start of next month.

To comment on the application visit the Hartlepool Borough Council planning portal online and search reference number H/2020/0034.

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