Huge boost for Hartlepool as Town Deal projects approved

The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities has given the go-ahead for the renovation of the former Wesley Chapel; connectivity improvements between The Waterfront, the town centre and Seaton Carew; and health and social care and civil engineering skills academies.

This clears the way for work to start imminently.

Approval for a fifth and final project – the reimagining of Middleton Grange Shopping Centre – is awaited.

Hartlepool was one of 100 towns across England invited by the Government to develop innovative regeneration plans and potentially secure up to £25 million. The Borough Council was informed last year that it had been awarded the full amount.

Councillor Shane Moore, Leader of the Council, said: “This is a huge moment in the history of Hartlepool, and one that we have been eagerly awaiting. It is fantastic news that we are now in a position to start work on these key schemes.

“Hopefully, we will soon also get approval for the fifth and final Town Deal project – the reimagining of Middleton Grange Shopping Centre – and, together, all of these projects will help to completely transform our town centre, whilst also providing state-of-the-art facilities that will enable us to boost the career prospects of local residents.”

Alby Pattison, Chair of the Hartlepool Town Deal Board which brings together representatives of the public, private and voluntary sectors, added: “It makes me very proud to see two and a half years of hard work by the Town Deal Board and the Council come to fruition.”

The Health and Social Care Skills Academy, located in Ward 10 at the University Hospital of Hartlepool, is a partnership between North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust and Hartlepool College of Further Education. It is estimated that over 3,000 learners will pass through its doors every year. The Civil Engineering Skills Academy, based at sites in Brenda Road and Exeter Street, is a partnership between Seymour Civil Engineering and the college. It aims to provide a range of construction, welding and civil engineering qualifications to more than 1,000 students a year.

The renovation of the former Wesley Chapel will create a 36-bedroom boutique hotel. It is proposed that the Hartlepool Town Deal funds the “Conservation Deficit” element of the project at a cost of £1.25million, with Jomast Developments funding the remaining £2.66million.

The Waterfront Connectivity project aims to enable better and additional use of The Waterfront (the marina and surrounding land) by providing direct connections to Seaton Carew and improved signage to Hartlepool town centre. The project is seen as a strategic fit with improvements to Hartlepool Railway Station.