Controversial Hartlepool Property Conversion Approved Despite Councillor’s Concerns
- teessidetoday
- Apr 13
- 2 min read
One Labour Councillor who objected to the plans claimed the proposals would create 'undesireable living conditions'.....
13th April 2025
Plans to convert a Hartlepool property into supposedly 'serviced accommodation' – described by one councillor as offering “undesirable living conditions” – have been approved by Hartlepool Borough Council.
The proposals, submitted by Mr. Raheel Deen of GND Properties, involve transforming the first and second floors of 29-33 Park Road from commercial storage space into four serviced rooms. The application also includes external alterations to the rear, such as the relocation and height extension of an existing flue, as well as retrospective approval for a roof light installation.
While the ground floor of the premises, currently occupied by The Pizza Guys takeaway, will remain unchanged, the upper floors are set to become short-term accommodation aimed at professionals and contractors working in the area.
However, the application drew criticism from Burn Valley Ward Labour Councillor, Corrine Male, who formally objected to the scheme. In her statement to the council, Cllr. Male raised a number of concerns about the development’s suitability, particularly given its location above a busy takeaway and opposite Middleton Grange Shopping Centre.
“As a Ward Councillor for Burn Valley Ward, I have a number of concerns about the proposed development at this site,” she stated. “These seem to be very undesirable living accommodation to me, in this position in town and directly above the kitchens of the café and takeaway.”
Cllr. Male also questioned the layout and size of the rooms, noting the lack of private parking and the shared nature of the kitchen and laundry facilities, despite the units being described as “serviced apartments.”
“There is a small public car park to the rear of the premises and the large car parks at Middleton Grange and Roker Street across the road, but no private parking associated with the development,” she added. “I cannot see that they would feature as holiday lets in the Airbnb style, or to anyone except those in desperate need of accommodation of any kind.”
Despite these concerns, Hartlepool Borough Council’s planning department did not identify any material planning issues with the proposal. The application was ultimately approved, subject to standard planning conditions being met.
