Plans Approved for New Wellbeing Centre Above Church Street Bar...

48 Church Street in Hartlepool.

Vacant Upper Floors of A Historic Building Finally Reused as Church Street Wellness Centre Scheme is Approved...

30th December 2025

Planning permission has now been formally approved for the long-vacant upper floors of a Hartlepool Building to be brought back into use, clearing the way for the creation of a new commercial wellbeing centre in the heart of the town centre.

The approved scheme at 48 Church Street Hartlepool will see the first, second and third floors of the locally listed Victorian building converted from obsolete residential accommodation into a membership-based health and wellbeing facility, featuring commercial-grade saunas, ice baths, treatment rooms and wellness spaces. The ground floor, consisting of a separate late-night bar and restaurant will remain unchanged.

Bringing Empty Space Back Into Use

Situated close to Hartlepool Railway Station and within the Church Street Conservation Area its claimed, the upper floors of the property have remained unused for a prolonged period, contributing little to the street’s vitality.

The decision, which was made by the Hartlepool Development Corporation under their delegated planning powers means those floors will now be brought back into productive use, aligning with long-standing policy objectives around upper-floor reactivation, heritage-led regeneration and town centre diversification.

Crucially, the development is said to involve internal alterations only. No changes will be made to the external appearance of the building, preserving its historic façade and protecting the character of the conservation area.

Heritage-Sensitive Approval

Planning officers working for the local Development Corporation reportedly accepted that the proposal would cause no harm to the heritage value of the locally listed building, with all works said to be internal, reversible, and designed to protect original features such as staircases, windows and architectural detailing.

Specialist construction methods are also set to be used to manage heat, humidity and structural loading associated with saunas and ice baths, ensuring the long-term integrity of both the building and adjoining properties.

The reoccupation of previously unused floors was also viewed as a positive heritage outcome, reducing the risk of long-term decline through neglect.

Health, Jobs and Footfall

Once operational, the wellbeing centre is expected to Create local employment, Increase daytime and evening footfall on Church Street, as well as providing affordable physical and mental health services & supporting the wider cultural and regeneration activity emerging around the station and Northern School of Art.

In addition, its claimed opening hours will be controlled, noise will be acoustically managed, and access will remain via a private Church Street entrance.

With consent for the plans now secured, attention will ultimately turn to delivery — and whether this scheme becomes a model for similar buildings across Church Street and beyond as the concentration of controversial HMO's in the area has led to some uncomfortable questions being asked about the priorities of the towns Development Corporation.