Town centre masterplan drawn up for Hartlepool in bid to harness £25million Government investment

In 2019 it was announced Hartlepool had been selected as one of 100 places invited to develop proposals for a Town Deal, part of a £3.6billion Government programme to ‘unlock the economic potential’ of areas.

The Government will consider investing up to £25million in each Town Deal, dependent upon the business case put forward.

Before a Town Deal can be agreed Hartlepool must develop a Town Investment Plan to set out a clear understanding of the area, its assets, opportunities and challenges.

The council has been allocated £173,000 to develop the plan, which will look at investment priorities looking at ‘long-term transformative change’.

A Hartlepool Town Deal Board was also set up earlier this year to oversee the plan, made up of the Hartlepool MP, council and Tees Valley Combined Authority representatives, local businesses, investors, community representatives and more.

Also involved in this work will be the creation of a town centre masterplan, looking at how Hartlepool can tackle challenges it faces to provide the best use of the space.

This will look at areas such as the town centre itself, the Civic Quarter, and the Innovation and Skills quarter, and will also link to investment plans at Hartlepool Waterfront.

A report from the Hartlepool Borough Council director of regeneration and neighbourhoods Denise McGuckin states how the town centre must develop following challenges such as the rise in online retailing.

It said: “A town centre masterplan has been commissioned to renew and reshape Hartlepool Town Centre in a way that improves experience, drives growth and ensures future sustainability.

“Individual town centres need to identify the mix that best suits their specific characteristics and local strengths.

“Green space, leisure arts and culture, heritage, health and social care services must combine with housing to create areas based on social interaction.

“High street retail needs to carve out a separate role focussing on providing experience and convenience.”

The masterplan will consider a number of issues including plans for the Mill House site once the leisure centre is relocated, and the aspirations of Hartlepool United Football Club.

The plan will be developed in consultation with residents, businesses and stakeholders in the area.

Furthermore, at the end of last year Hartlepool was also invited as one of an initial 20 locations to take part in the pilot of the ‘High Street Taskforce’ programme, aimed at giving the areas advice, training and information to thrive.

The initial work with the taskforce has identified the need for a ‘cohesive vision for the town centre’ and the need for greater partnership working between public, private and voluntary sectors.

A report on the topic will go before the council Finance and Policy Committee at a remote meeting streamed via YouTube on Monday.

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