Plans for a Bar / Nightclub in a town centre rejected by council officials, despite planning officers recommending its approval....

The bar had already begun trading when plans were submitted to Hartlepool Borough Council, however the proposals were rejected by council officials, despite officers recommending they be approved, leaving the business owners plans 'up in arms'....

8th November 2024

Plans for the change of use of a formally vacant shop into a Bar / Nightclub have been rejected this week by council officials, despite recommendations for them to be approved.

ASP Associates, acting as the agent for Mr Ashley Johns applied to Hartlepool Borough Council for the change of use of 117 York Road in Hartlepool from its former use as a vacant shop into a Bar / Nightclub, however its claimed the plans are now 'up in the air' after original recommendations for the plans to be approved were rejected when they were put before councillors at this weeks planning meeting.

According to the council report, the bar/nightclub use (that the current application relates to) had recently begun operating (without planning permission), with councillors told that the existing shop front had been painted (black) along with a new fascia sign, making the application itself part retrospective in its proposals.

The proposals, which included modifications to the shop front and an expanded interior layout, was set to transform the venue into a mixed-use space featuring seating areas, a dance floor, and a bar. Following public consultations, however, local residents and councillors raised considerable objections over the proposals, with nearby residents highlighting issues such as increased noise, disturbances, and the potential for disruptive behaviour in the already bustling commercial area.

After a number of consultations had been carried out, its claimed the council did receive a number of supporting comments over the plans, with supporters feeling the new establishment could add vibrancy to the area and strengthen the sense of local community, while opponents emphasised the potential harm to residential amenities & issues of Anti Social Behaviour which is already a significant problem in the town centre area.

Despite the council officers’ recommendations to approve the application with conditions aimed at minimising any disturbances—such as restricted operating hours (12:00 PM to 11:30 PM) and soundproofing measures—the committee went against council officers & rejected the application leaving the business owner in limbo & likely to be foreseeing a lengthy appeals process, with supporters of the application claiming that similar venues have been granted approval in the past leading to many questions as to why councillors sought to go against council officer advice, leading to what many claim could be potentially a costly venture to an already fledgling business and is once again leading to concerns Hartlepool Borough Councils 'anti business' stance is turning those looking to invest in the town away to other council boroughs.