Bar That was Refused Planning Permission by Hartlepool Borough Council Wins Appeal.....

The site of the Intro Bar in Hartlepool

The Intro Bar, in Hartlepool's York Road has had its appeal upheld by the Governments Planning Inspectorate in what should have been an 'open & shut' case for planning officials to grant....

8th March 2025

A Hartlepool Bar has won a landmark victory after months of legal wrangling that left them potentially facing enforcement action & the closure of the business, after Hartlepool Borough Council refused the business owners planning permission to operate, despite there being considerable public support for the plans...

HBC Exposed has learned that The Governments Planning Inspectorate this week overturned Hartlepool Borough Councils refusal to grant planning permission for a new bar and nightclub on York Road, known as "The Intro Bar". The appeal decision, handed down on 7 May 2025, allows Team Tilly Leisure Ltd—led by Mr Ashley Johns—to continue operating what has already said to have become a vibrant and inclusive venue....

The landmark ruling shines a light on yet another instance of the questionable judgement being handed down by the council's planning department, where its claimed council licensing chiefs approved a licensing application for the bar in July last year, yet subsequently refused planning permission for the bar to operate, despite there being numerous supporting letters for the business.

The Council Said No – But Why?

Hartlepool Borough Council originally refused the application (Ref: H/2024/0053), claiming concerns over increased noise, inadequate waste management, and a rise in crime and antisocial behaviour. The irony in this was the premises had already been granted a licence by the local borough council & had been operating without major incident, and was arguably contributing more to the local economy and social fabric than many other empty or neglected town centre units in the nearby area...

Assumptions & Prejudice appears to have been at work

According to the Planning Inspectorates report, there was “no substantive evidence... to demonstrate specific instances of noise or disturbance” despite the venue already being in use. Once again, where critics claim Councillors who unanimously rejected the application appear to have acted on assumption's and prejudice rather than facts.

Inspector’s Verdict was Damming Against Hartlepool Borough Council...

In a comprehensive and detailed decision handed down by the Planning Inspectorate this week, the Inspector concluded that the bar’s operation was entirely compatible with the town centre location, With the Inspectorate dismissing the claims in relation to concerns regarding noise, stating the building layout places most noise-generating activity to the front (facing York Road), not toward the rear where residential properties are located. The Inspector said this setup was “reasonable” and consistent with its surroundings. With regards to Waste & Storage, the Inspector noted that external bins are already a norm for businesses in the rear lane. The suggested system—storing bins externally during open hours and indoors when closed—was deemed both practical and proportionate, with the Inspector finally giving his outline on the claims of increased crime & ASB which the planning inspectorate deemed to be 'Totally Unfounded': Citing a lack of meaningful data linking the bar to crime, the Inspector also rejected council fears as being 'speculative'. Tellingly, Cleveland Police also did not object to the licensing application, and the venue was granted a premises licence without challenge thus reinforcing the decision that Hartlepool Borough Councils decision to refuse the bar planning permission was 'Totally Without Merit'....

A Symbolic Victory

Supporters of the decision claim this isn’t just about a bar. It’s about whether Hartlepool is a town that's prepared to welcome & encourages enterprise, asl well as supporting the growth of safe, inclusive spaces—or whether it continues to be shackled by outdated thinking and bureaucratic red tape.

One local told Durham & Teesside Today that Mr Johns and Team Tilly Leisure deserve credit for not backing down. And residents should take note—this appeal win shows that when you challenge Hartlepool Borough Council’s decisions, you can win.

The Planning Inspector's decision might just be a turning point.

The question now is: Will Hartlepool Borough Council ever learn from it?