Quarry Farm 475-home plan in Elwick Road Hartlepool agreed

Proposals had been submitted to Hartlepool Borough Council planning department to provide the properties on 23.5 hectares of agricultural land to the north of Elwick Road and south of Worset Lane.

The outline application, from Hartlepool-based Cecil M Yuill, stated the scheme would be the third phase of the Quarry Farm housing development.

It also included a local centre comprising 400sqm of retail units and areas of open space.

In total 26 objections had been submitted to the council from residents raising concerns over the proposals.

Worries were voiced around “inadequate” road infrastructure, congestion, noise and traffic, impact on countryside, trees, fields and wildlife, and the lack of demand for the properties.

The application went before the local authority’s planning committee yesterday (Wednesday, April 22) for a final verdict after councillors previously twice deferred making a decision.

The panel decided by majority vote to approve the application, which was in line with recommendations from planning officers.

Their report stated: “It is anticipated that a scale of development could come forward that would achieve a satisfactory form that would not adversely impact upon the character and appearance of the surrounding area.”

The approval will be subject to the completion of a section 106 legal agreement securing more than £8million from the developer to mitigate the impacts of the scheme.

This includes more than £5million towards highway infrastructure, more than £1.4million for primary school provision and just under £1million for secondary education.

It will also ensure seven per cent of the properties provided are classed affordable homes.

The scheme will include two distinct parcels of residential development separated by an existing “local wildlife site” which will be retained and “enhanced” by the application.

Each section will feature a village green and a children’s play area.

Meanwhile a new vehicular entrance into the site will be taken from Elwick Road.

A statement from JW Planning said the development will provide “significant direct economic benefits for the town and its residents”.

It adds: “The introduction of additional population in this location will generate significant increased levels of expenditure in the town

“It will also provide a mix of high quality 2, 3 and 4 bedroomed houses, including a proportion of bungalows, in a high-quality landscaped setting which will meet the needs of present and future generations.”