Summary
Strategic Issue 1
Non-resilient and inefficient housing stock (particularly in the town centre)
A significant proportion of Hartlepool’s housing, especially in the town centre, is characterised by poor energy efficiency, inadequate insulation, and outdated heating systems. These factors contribute to high carbon emissions, fuel poverty, and vulnerability to extreme weather events. Improving housing resilience and energy performance is critical to reducing emissions, lowering household costs, and safeguarding health.
What needs to be done
- Accelerate large-scale retrofitting of town centre housing to improve insulation, heating systems, and ventilation.
- Expand funding and enforcement for private rental sector compliance with Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards.
- Integrate climate resilience measures (e.g., flood-proofing, overheating protection) into retrofit programmes.
- Develop granular housing condition data to target interventions effectively.
Strategic Issue 2
Unequal access to green space
Access to quality green spaces is uneven across the borough, with some communities experiencing limited opportunities for recreation, biodiversity engagement, and climate adaptation benefits. This disparity impacts physical and mental wellbeing, social cohesion, and environmental equity. Expanding and connecting green infrastructure is essential to address these inequalities and enhance resilience.
What needs to be done
- Create and connect new green spaces in deprived and densely populated areas, ensuring accessibility within 300m of homes.
- Improve quality and safety of existing parks through maintenance and community-led design.
- Embed green infrastructure standards in planning policy and regeneration projects.
- Use nature-based solutions (e.g., rain gardens, tree planting) to deliver dual benefits for health and climate adaptation.
Strategic Issue 3
Increasing flood risk and need for climate resilience
Hartlepool faces growing risks from coastal erosion, sea-level rise, and extreme rainfall events. While current flood risk is relatively low, future projections indicate significant challenges for infrastructure, housing, and public health. Strengthening climate resilience through sustainable drainage, nature-based solutions, and adaptive planning is a priority to protect communities and assets.
What needs to be done
- Integrate climate projections into all planning and regeneration strategies.
- Expand property-level resilience measures (e.g., flood doors, raised electrics) through grants and incentives.
- Invest in nature-based flood mitigation (wetlands, permeable surfaces) alongside hard infrastructure.
- Strengthen community preparedness through awareness campaigns and emergency planning.