Council Agrees Transfer of Land at Grayfields to Local Charity to Tackle Anti-Social Behaviour

Council Officials claim the move would 'reduce costs', as well as addressing an ASB problem the local charity has been suffering.

8th October 2025

Hartlepool Borough Council has approved the transfer of a small piece of land at the Grayfields site to the Greatham Foundation, in a bid to address an ongoing ASB issue which has plagued the local charity for several years.

The charity owns Gretton Court Care Home on Heather Grove, just off Jesmond Gardens, with the decision aiming to support the Foundation’s redevelopment plans while addressing ongoing issues of anti-social behaviour in the area.

The Greatham Foundation — formerly known as the Hospital of God at Greatham — operates a range of services for older people, including residential and day care, dementia support, and family assistance. The charity recently submitted a planning application to convert and partially demolish the former Gretton Court Care Home to create 14 new dwellings designed for independent living and dementia care, alongside associated site improvements.

For several years, its claimed the Foundation has experienced persistent problems with youths entering the property, particularly through an overgrown strip of land located between the Foundation’s boundary and the Council-owned land adjoining FC Hartlepool’s leased area at Grayfields.

Although FC Hartlepool’s lease includes fencing maintenance, the overgrown strip itself has reportedly remained the responsibility of Hartlepool Borough Council, creating a grey area in terms of ownership and upkeep.

Under the newly approved decision, the Council will transfer ownership of the 244-square-metre strip of land to the Greatham Foundation, with the transfer allowing the charity to secure and manage the area, helping to prevent further trespassing and vandalism whilst also relieving the Council of its maintenance liabilities.

The use of the land will be restricted to charitable purposes consistent with the Foundation’s existing mission — ensuring it continues to serve the needs of elderly and vulnerable residents.

Council officials described the move as a “mutually beneficial arrangement” that supports both community safety and local care development. With the transfer in place, the Foundation will gain greater control over its property boundary, enabling it to move forward with its redevelopment plans free from the persistent issues of anti-social behaviour that have plagued the site for years.