Planning permission was lodged with Hartlepool Borough Council in April to transform the long‑disused United Services Club in West View into three separate commercial units.
Six objections have been lodged with the council to date over the plans,” reported the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
This includes a submission from Val Evens, manager at the neighbouring West View Advice and Resource Centre, raising concerns around traffic, parking and highway safety.
She said: “If sufficient off-street parking is not available, customers and staff are likely to park on surrounding streets, placing additional pressure on existing parking spaces and causing inconvenience to local residents and other road users. Increased vehicle movements, deliveries, stopping/starting traffic, and vehicles manoeuvring close to the premises may create hazards for pedestrians, particularly children, older people and those with mobility issues.”
Meanwhile a response from Tracey Herrington, who volunteers at The Bread and Butter Thing at West View, said: “Based on consistent feedback from local residents, there is a strong feeling that West View already has an adequate number of retail units, many of which remain vacant. In contrast, there is a clear appetite within the community for an additional community facility or accessible green space.”
Documents in support of the plans note there is an area just outside the property which would allow parking for “three to four” cars at a time and it is “not predicted” vehicles will park for a long duration.
A decision is expected in the near future.
Author: Hartlepool Life
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