Plans unveiled to renovate 'eyesore' Hartlepool town centre building

Plans have been lodged to renovate an "eyesore" Hartlepool town centre building which used to be home to a shop, office and gym.
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Proposals have been submitted to Hartlepool Borough Council’s planning department to carry out work on the vacant site on the corner of York Road and Victoria Road.

Submitted by Magnum Investments, plans state the building is in a “state of disrepair” and they want to convert the ground floor shop into five smaller individual retail units.

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The development would also include converting the empty first floor office and vacant second floor gymnasium each into five apartments, providing 10 in total at the site.

Plans have been unveiled to renovate this building on the corner of Hartlepool's York and Victoria roads.Plans have been unveiled to renovate this building on the corner of Hartlepool's York and Victoria roads.
Plans have been unveiled to renovate this building on the corner of Hartlepool's York and Victoria roads.

A design and access statement from Planrite, on behalf of the applicant, outlines how the proposals would improve the area by renovating the “eyesore” site, last used in 2015.

It said: “This development would greatly boost the image of the street scene in this part of the town.

“As an existing dilapidated single retail space it is apparent that it has no commercial appeal but converted to smaller units it becomes a viable proposition.

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“Its use as rented apartments would guarantee the future of the building.

York Road is described as a “busy vibrant commercial centre” which would welcome the additional retail unitsYork Road is described as a “busy vibrant commercial centre” which would welcome the additional retail units
York Road is described as a “busy vibrant commercial centre” which would welcome the additional retail units

“The benefits to the local area are several: increased commercial income, the removal of an eyesore in a very prominent position, [and to] encourage people to shop in the area.”

It adds York Road is a “busy vibrant commercial centre” which would welcome the additional retail units.

The new shops would be able to open from 9am until 6pm Monday to Saturday, and provide 10 full-time jobs, along with between 10 and 15 part-time roles, according to plans.

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Planning documents note how the existing first floor office accommodation is “dated and cannot compete with more modern units” available in the area.

The documents state the second floor gymnasium “lacks basic facilities demanded by modern society and has been empty for many years”.

The plans add the town centre position for the first and second floor flats could therefore provide “much needed low rental accommodation” near to all amenities.

A decision is expected to be made on the proposals by the council planning department in July.

To view and comment on the planning application, visit the council’s planning portal online and search reference number H/2020/0262.