Refurbishment plans for former Hartlepool takeaway site, with hopes to create cafe or shop and apartments

Proposals have been submitted to Hartlepool Borough Council planning department for the work to take place at 15 Church Street, previously home to Mamma Mia’s takeaway.

The property is also joined on to the historic former Shades site.

Plans state council officers are looking to change the upper two floors into two self contained flats, along with refurbishing the ground floor commercial unit.

This comes after in March last year councillors approved a £207,000 scheme to renovate the property, with a view to opening a cafe or shop at the site, along with the two flats.

It was stated at the time 61% of the total costs of the project – including the purchase of the property – will be covered by external grant funding, with the rest met from anticipated rental income.

The plans, submitted by Philip Timmins at the council, state the building is currently in a ‘poor state of repair’ and the development would enhance Church Street, and the Conservation Area where it is located.

A heritage statement on behalf of the council from construction consultants RNJ Partnership states the move will bring a prominent building back into use.

It said: “In summary the building requires extensive repairs principally as a result of lack of maintenance and the use of inappropriate materials.

“The building is in a dilapidated condition with extensive repairs and replacement of components and materials as necessary.

“The proposals retain and enhance the buildings original architectural details whilst removing inappropriate materials and later additions to bring a building back into use.

“This along with the provision of shop/commercial workspace unit correlates with the Church Street Conservation Area Character Appraisal Management Plan and will contribute to the development of the Innovation and Skills Quarter (ISQ).”

The ISQ development aims to revitalise Church Street and develop a thriving creative industries quarter based around The Northern School of Art’s new campus, according to the council plans.

Hartlepool Borough Council bosses acquired the property in August 2018 with plans to renovate the site and convert the ground floor into a shop or cafe, dependent on market demand.

Council officers previously stated the site would not be run as a hot food takeaway as it would be ‘detrimental to the letting and management of the flats’.

Previously the upper floors provided one three bed flat, with the latest plans involving dividing the site into two flats, each with two bedrooms.

Plans also include the demolition of an existing single storey rear extension.

A decision is expected to be made on the proposals by the council planning department later this month.

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