West Park Wonder: £2.5 Million Plot of Land Hits the Market – But Will It Ever Be Built On?

The Parade in Hartlepool's West Park

The land, formally granted planning permission back in 2014 which has now lapsed has gone back on the market for a huge price tag.... But who will buy it ?

6th April 2025

A prime piece of real estate is set to turn heads in Hartlepool, especially amongst budding developers, as a sprawling 5.5-acre parcel of land has officially hit the open market once again – and it’s already being touted as a rare gem.

Tunstall Court prior to its demolition....

The land, which lies off The Parade in one of Hartlepool’s most affluent postcodes, was once home to the grand and opulent Tunstall Court – a luxurious mansion built in 1899, known for its architectural beauty and lavish style. Sadly, however years of neglect saw the building fall into ruin, before it was ultimately demolished. Now, what remains is a largely a grassed and overgrown plot, described by agents as “ripe for redevelopment”.

Marketed by Collier Estates, they say it represents a “unique and exclusive land holding” with immense potential. But potential comes at a premium – and with a £2.5 million pound asking price, its likely not to be a purchase for the faint-hearted.

Back in June 2014, Hartlepool Borough Council granted planning permission for the demolition of Tunstall Court and the building of 14 luxury homes – a move that sparked both interest and controversy at the time. However, that planning permission has now reportedly lapsed, and any new buyer would now need to go back to the drawing board and reapply to the council once more.

The land has long been coveted by developers, speculators, and even history lovers who once hoped to see Tunstall Court restored. Now, with the plot back on the market and a hefty price tag attached, all eyes will be on what happens next. Will it become a playground for property tycoons? A haven for high-end housing? Or will it continue to sit untouched – as just another piece of Hartlepool’s past left to the weeds?

Whilst the agents are painting a rosy picture, touting the land as a blank canvas for a dream development & potentially one of Hartlepool’s most talked-about property deals in years local residents and potential developers will likely be asking the real question: Will Hartlepool Borough Council approve building on this site nearly a decade later?

That, of course, remains to be seen.