Plans for 31 affordable homes resubmitted three months after being rejected by Hartlepool Borough Council over crime concerns

The entrance to the site of the proposed affordable new housing off Lealholm Road. Picture Google.

Hartlepool Borough Council’s planning committee turned down the proposed development at Lealholm Road and Newholm Court, off Seaton Lane, in May.

It came after local residents said they feared it would lead to a return of crime and anti-social behaviour they saw before Keith Road was demolished in 2003.

But a revised application on behalf of the Thirteen Housing Group has been resubmitted.

Agents on behalf of Thirteen claim the fears are unfounded and say there have been big changes to the area in the last 20 years.

A planning statement by agents Engie states: “It is fair to say that the refusal of planning permission came as a big surprise given that the proposed development is for much needed affordable housing and adjacent to the recently built and successful small affordable housing development of bungalows that are managed by Thirteen.

“Indeed, the applicants and Thirteen remain unclear in what way the LPA (local planning authority) consider the proposed development would give rise to issues of crime and the fear of crime.”

The plan is for 31 affordable two and three bedroomed two storey houses, that would be managed by Thirteen, on two parcels of land.

The planning statement stresses the two development sites will be entirely independent of each other and there will be no pedestrian, cycle or vehicular link to bungalows in the middle of the site at Middleham Court which were built after Keith Road was knocked down.

It adds: “As far as Thirteen Group are aware, this development has not resulted in crime or the fear of crime.

“Massive changes have occurred in the last 20 years to improve the way Thirteen work to prevent issues occurring and with their new operating model satisfaction has never been higher.

“Thirteen consider that fears that the proposed development could lead to a re-occurence of the anti-social behaviour problems and criminal activities that blighted the former Keith Road/southern end of Jutland Road area some 20 years ago are unfounded.”

No decision has been made yet by the council.