Member Article

Masterplan consultation begins

The first stage of a major consultation exercise to help draw up a radical new regeneration blueprint for Hartlepool has started.

Hartlepool Council is behind the ambitious Regeneration Masterplan which forms part of the Hartlepool Vision to revitalise the centre of Hartlepool, spark the town’s wider regeneration and lay the foundations for its future prosperity.

GVA, the UK’s largest independent commercial property firm, beat off stiff competition to land the key role in helping the Council to deliver the Masterplan which covers the town’s marina and waterfront areas.

The first step in an extensive consultation exercise with residents, businesses, land owners, developers and other key groups began at the weekend with a telephone survey that is targeting around 500 residents living in Hartlepool and surrounding areas.

Residents were asked a series of questions about shopping, the town centre and leisure - three areas identified by the Council as key to the town’s future success.

Councillor Christopher Akers-Belcher, the Leader of Hartlepool Council, said: “The views of local residents are extremely important to us. The telephone survey marks the start of what will be a comprehensive consultation exercise and there will be lots of other opportunities for residents, businesses and other interested parties to get involved over the coming months and help shape the Masterplan.”

Feedback from the telephone survery which is being carried out over the next two weeks, will also help inform the Hartlepool Local Plan which is currently being drawn up by the Council.

Richard Newsome, an associate in GVA’s Newcastle office, said: “The telephone survey only takes about five minutes to complete and forms part of the consultation process. It will be followed by surveys in the town centre within the next few weeks and everyone in the town will be given the opportunity to get involved and air their views on how they think Hartlepool should be developed over the next 20 years.”

The master-planning of the waterfront and surrounding area will not only set out in details what can be delivered but also show where and how this can be achieved. It aims to increase Hartlepool’s profile as a major leisure and visitor destination and unlock opportunities for the economic growth of the town.

Councillor Akers-Belcher added: “We know that Hartlepool has lots of assets but there is also so much more potential to make the town a better plance to live, work and visit. Hartlepool Council has very bold and ambitious plans to regenerate key areas of the town and GVA fully understand what we are trying to achieve.

“Our aim is to create major new retial and leisure facilities, increase the town’s profile as a visitor destination, make Hartlepool a centre for advanced manufacturing and produce much-needed job opportunities.

“It is about promoting Hartlepool as a quality, thriving destination and together with GVA, residents, the business community and others I’m confident we can achieve this.”

Consutlation will continue over the summer and the first draft of the Masterplan is expected to be completed towards the end of the year.

For further information contact Rob Smith at Hartlepool Council on (01429) 523531 or email rob.smith@hartlepool.gov.uk

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Steve Hilton .