Hartlepool Children's Home Plans Withdrawn at the 11th Hour, After Planning Officials Recommended they be Refused...
- teessidetoday
- Jul 22
- 2 min read
The plans were listed to go before Hartlepool Borough Councils Planning Committee this week, however its claimed they've now been withdrawn at the 11th hour following claims officers were recommending the conversion of the large family home be refused.
22nd July 2025
Proposals to convert a residential property in Hartlepool’s Elm Grove into a children’s care home has been withdrawn at the eleventh hour—after the plans were saids. to have been recommended for refusal by planning officials working for Hartlepool Borough Council...
The proposed development, listed on the councils website under planning reference H/2025/0113, had been met with growing resistance from both local residents and council officials, with planning officers reportedly recommending the plans be refused on key grounds including the impact on the area’s residential character, amenity, and community cohesion.
The application had been scheduled for discussion at a Planning Committee at Hartlepool's Civic Centre on Wednesday 23rd July 2025, where councillors were to consider official advice and public representations. However, at the last-minute, its claimed the applicant withdrew the plans—likely in response to the council’s strong stance and the weight of objections submitted.
Council Officers Had Reportedly Warned of an 'Over concentration' of Similar Developments in the Area.
According to official planning documents, council officials raised concerns about the appropriateness of placing another care facility within Elm Grove, citing risks of over concentration in what is otherwise a quiet, family-oriented neighbourhood.
Planning Officers argued the development could have a detrimental effect on the local community’s character and stability, highlighting fears around increased noise, antisocial behaviour, and disruption from the increased traffic and activity typically associated with residential care homes for vulnerable children.
Concerns were also flagged regarding safeguarding and supervision, with officers suggesting the applicant had failed to demonstrate how such risks would be managed in a way that ensured minimal disruption to the community.
The plans received no fewer than 11 formal objections from nearby residents—many of those acknowledging the importance of caring for vulnerable children, but challenged the suitability of Elm Grove as the location for such a facility.
One local resident commented:
“We are not against helping children in need, but this is the wrong location. It’s not fair to either the kids or the community.”
Concerns raised also included fears over community safety, declining property values, and the lack of transparency or engagement with neighbours prior to the application being lodged.
This case is not unique. Hartlepool Borough Council has faced a series of controversial applications to convert standard residential properties into children’s homes in recent years—often without what residents describe as proper consultation or scrutiny.
According to sources, at least two further applications for similar facilities are expected to go before the councils Planning Committee in not too distant near future, reigniting concerns about the piecemeal approach being taken by private operators entering residential communities.
Read our previous report...
