Council presses ahead with bold plans for waterfront transformation

Published Tuesday, 24th October 2017

HARTLEPOOL Borough Council has taken another major step forward in its plans to transform the town’s Hartlepool Waterfront site into a landmark destination for residents and visitors.

The Council bought the former five-acre Jacksons Landing site after it lay dormant for years and has been developing a concept masterplan to attract investors and development.

Now a joint meeting of the Council’s Finance & Policy and Regeneration Services Committees has agreed to formally adopt the masterplan as the basis for further developing plans for the site and surrounding area.

The key parts of the masterplan are:

  • A new waterfront visitor attraction using the best in digital and virtual reality to create a range of experiences and activities.
  • A water activity centre offering both water-based activities and land-based activities such as climbing and indoor caving.
  • An outdoor events arena for attractions around the year such as markets, food festivals, displays and music shows.
  • The expansion of the National Museum of the Royal Navy Hartlepool onto the waterfront site.
  • A new four-star hotel and restaurants.

If the masterplan is delivered in full, it’s estimated that the new development could create several hundred jobs plus many more in construction.

There will be a phased approach, with an early first phase over the next two years concentrating on the development of leisure activities and the creation of the all-year-round events space to build on the success of this summer’s Hartlepool Waterfront Festival, which was held on the site and attracted more than 15,000 people.

Approximately £680,000 has been earmarked for the next stage of concept design and development – money which is coming from the Tees Valley Combined Authority.

An artist’s impression of how Hartlepool Waterfront could look

An artist’s impression of how Hartlepool Waterfront could look

Councillor Kevin Cranney, Chair of the Council’s Regeneration Services Policy Committee, said: “As a town, Hartlepool has always been forward-thinking and ambitious and these inspiring plans will transform the waterfront, opening an exciting new chapter for residents, businesses and visitors alike.”

Councillor Christopher Akers-Belcher, Leader of the Council and Chair of the Finance & Policy Committee added: “With work now getting underway on the regeneration of the Church Street and Church Square areas and about to begin at Seaton Carew, people will see our months of planning now starting to take shape on the ground.

“As work now presses ahead on further detailed planning for the Hartlepool Waterfront development, it all sends a clear message to potential investors in our town – we have a bold vision for the future of Hartlepool and we have the drive to make it a reality.”