Community input invited for Hartlepool urban regeneration initiative

Hartlepool Regeneration: A Once-in-a-Generation Opportunity

The town of Hartlepool is gearing up for a significant transformation, as the Tees Valley Combined Authority has pledged £10 million to support its regeneration project. The Tees Valley Mayor, Ben Houchen, is encouraging locals to share their opinions on the regeneration masterplan, calling it a 'once-in-a-generation opportunity'.

The Hartlepool regeneration project encompasses a wide range of areas, including Oakesway Business Park, Queens Meadow Business Park, retail and leisure lands such as Mill House Leisure Centre and Middleton Grange Shopping Centre, public realm, and civic buildings. The aim is to transform these areas into a hub for creative industries. Plans include refurbishing the former post office building into a centre for business start-ups in the creative industries sector.

Construction is already underway in Hartlepool, focusing on the waterfront and Church Street area. The Tees Valley Development Corporation is operating the masterplan implementation, although the name of its chairman is not available at this time.

The consultation for the Hartlepool regeneration masterplan will run until 10 September and will deliver an approval on the plans two weeks later. The new rules granted to Tees Valley Mayor, Ben Houchen, in June, allow authorities to acquire, develop, hold, and dispose of land to speed up regeneration progress.

Lord Houchen believes the masterplan will provide a clear framework to speed up planning processes and reduce speculative proposals. This is in line with the Levelling Up Secretary's plans, announced earlier this year by Michael Gove, to regenerate Hartlepool and Middlesbrough.

Two new development corporations are being established to contribute to the regeneration projects in Tees Valley. Up to 1,300 new homes are planned as part of the Hartlepool regeneration, but no specific details about the creative industries hub or the timeline for the Hartlepool Development Corporation have been provided at this time.

The Hartlepool regeneration project is a significant step towards revitalising the town and providing opportunities for its residents and businesses. Local opinions are encouraged to help shape the future of Hartlepool.