Questions raised over new bypass in Hartlepool as concerns hang over 220-home Elwick Road development
It came as Hartlepool Borough Council Planning Committee approved plans for minor alterations to already agreed proposals for 220 new homes at Quarry Farm, off Elwick Road.
The site subject to the plans from Barratt David Wilson Homes North East lies to the west of Cairnston Road and to the south of Worset Lane.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdCllr Brenda Loynes, speaking at the meeting, raised concerns of the traffic in and around the area and wanted to know what progress had been made in regards to the planned Elwick Bypass.
A funding strategy for the Elwick Bypass scheme was approved by councillors in 2018, with the planned road creating a bypass for the village of Elwick and an upgrade to the current Elwick North junction to the A19.
Cllr Loynes said: “Are we any further forward with the bypass? Because the extra traffic is going to have a huge impact on Elwick village.
“They’re already suffering with fast moving cars, we’ve put signs up reducing the speed limit but nobody seems to take any notice of them.”
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdCouncil officers confirmed the proposed housing site is allowed to come forward before the road improvements, but noted talks are ongoing to bring the bypass forward as soon as possible.
Kieran Bostock, council assistant director for place management, said: “I can advise we are continuing negotiations with land owners and partner agencies to bring the scheme forward at the earliest convenience.”
Cllr Loynes, who represents the Rural West ward, also noted she was surprised alterations had not been made to offer a second entrance to the site.
She said: “I’m shocked really at them not trying to have another opening into the site. All of it is going through Reedston Road, which is a narrow road.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide Ad“I just feel another entrance or exit from Worset Lane or further up could have been achieved as well as altering the homes.”
Council planning officers noted the access to the site had already been agreed at the outline planning stage.
Cllr Mike Young, chair of the planning committee, and also a Rural West ward representative, noted they are receiving frequent emails from residents in regards to work at the site, and stressed the importance of communication between all parties.
He said: “We’re receiving almost daily emails from residents about issues on the site and I think it’s important that we continue to just keep doing what we’re doing and which is raising it with the planning department.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide Ad“I’ve made a few communications as well with the contractor and had some assurances.
“I think any site is going to be imperfect and I think we’ve just got to do everything we can to support the residents of our ward in that respect.”
Mr Bostock added it often takes time for a scheme to ‘settle down’ and the contractor and residents to ‘learn to live together’.
He also noted the council is being more proactive in working with the contractor and trying to address issues before they occur.
Amy Ward, planning manager for the applicant, told the committee the site will feature a ‘good design and the creation of a high quality development’.