Former Hartlepool Social Club Set For HMO Conversion Under New Plans...
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Former West End Social Club in Hartlepool Could Become Shops And Shared Housing Under New Plans...
30th April 2026
Plans have been submitted to Hartlepool Borough Council to transform a former Hartlepool social club into three ground-floor commercial units and an eight-bedroom House in Multiple Occupation — a proposal which is likely to prove controversial because of its HMO nature and the absence of on-site parking.
The application for 70-72 Murray Street, Hartlepool, seeks permission from the council for a change of use of the building formerly used as a social club/public house, and seeks permission for a mixed-use redevelopment of the prominent end-of-terrace building.
According to the design, access and planning statement prepared in support of the scheme, the proposal would see the ground floor converted into three separate Class E commercial units, while the upper floors would be turned into an eight-bedroom, eight-person HMO. The plans also include changes to windows, shopfront alterations, bin storage, cycle storage and other associated works.
The applicant argues that the building is currently vacant and no longer reflects the “prevailing or optimal use” of the surrounding area. The statement says the scheme would bring the property back into “active and viable use” while maintaining commercial activity at street level.
Under the proposals, two of the new commercial entrances would face Murray Street, with another entrance from Young Street. The upper floors would provide eight single-occupancy bedrooms, each with either en-suite or off-suite bathroom provision, along with a shared kitchen and dining space.
The statement says all bedrooms would meet or exceed Hartlepool Council’s minimum guideline of 10 square metres for single occupancy, with room sizes ranging from 10.0m² to 12.8m². A communal kitchen and dining area of around 19.7m² is also proposed, which the applicant says meets local guidance for six to ten occupants.
However, the plans could raise concern among residents and councillors due to the HMO element of the scheme, particularly at a time when shared housing proposals in Hartlepool have often attracted scrutiny over parking, waste, noise and the wider impact on surrounding streets.
One of the most contentious parts of the application is likely to be parking, with the planning statement outlining that there's no opportunity to provide on-site parking at the property. Instead, the applicant argues that zero parking provision is justified because the site is in a town centre location, close to shops, bus stops, Hartlepool railway station and other local services.
The applicant also claims that HMO residents typically have lower levels of car ownership and that the development is likely to attract young professionals or similar occupiers. Cycle storage is proposed as part of the scheme.
Hartlepool Borough Councils planning officials are set to make a decision on the plans in late June 2026.
