Car Dealership Faces Enforcement Action Over Planning Breach

Car Dealership was refused retrospective planning permission for works it carried out on its building, its now been told it faces Enforcement Action by Hartlepool Borough Council if it fails to put the building back to its original specification.

4th November 2024

A Hartlepool car dealership is said to be facing potential enforcement action, after councillors denied the firm retrospective planning permission for recent modifications to its premises.

H Tones in Oxford Rd Hartlepool submitted a planning application retrospectively to install a roller shutter door and a dropped kerb for easier access. However, concerns over road safety, congestion, and proximity to the roadside to nearby Spring Garden Road led to the application landing before the council's planning committee for a final decision to be made.

During an October 2024 planning meeting, councillors pointed to worries over increased congestion and parking issues, deeming the changes a hazard to traffic flow and overall road safety. Ultimately, the proposal's were flatly rejected when councillors met to mull over the plans. .

Following the decision, HBC Exposed's learned that Hartlepool Borough Council has formally requested the car dealership remove the alterations and return the building to back its original design. A recent officer decision report indicates that Tony Hanson, Director of Regeneration & Neighbourhoods, is said to be considering formal enforcement action, given that the business has yet to comply with the council’s requests.

Its reportedly not the first time Hartlepool Borough Council's cracked down on developers who flout planning regulations. Past enforcement actions have led to substantial fines for businesses failing to comply with planning conditions or undertaking unauthorised changes.