This page hosts live consultations related to Hartlepool Borough Council’s Land Use Policy, including Draft Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs).
Residential Design Code and Guidance Draft SPD
Hartlepool Borough Council has prepared a draft Residential Design Code and Guidance SPD to help positively shape new residential developments throughout the borough.
The Residential Design Code & Guidance SPD provides a set of clear design rules (codes) and guidance for how all new residential developments should be designed. The SPD cover many elements of design including; how green spaces should look, how to include street trees and where car parking should be placed. The document also provides codes for specific areas where housing growth is anticipated, including Wynyard and the villages of Hartlepool.
Once adopted the Residential Design Code & Guidance SPD will serve as a tool in the planning application process.
We are asking for your views.
Consultation will be open until 5pm on 28 April 2026.
View more information and complete the survey
Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) & Planning Rules Consultation
We are proposing to make some changes to planning rules that currently allow houses to be converted into small Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) without the need to apply for planning permission. The proposed change (called a "non-immediate Article 4 directive") would mean that anyone wishing to make a material change that would convert a house into a small HMO for 3 to 6 people would need to apply for planning permission
We are asking for your views
Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) draft Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) consultation
We are proposing to introduce a Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) for Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO). The SPD will be used for the determination of all HMO planning applications and sets out what a HMO is, the interrelationship between planning and licencing and the planning determination process.
In planning terms, Houses in Multiple Occupation (‘HMOs’) are defined as properties that are rented out by at least three or more unrelated individuals who do not form a single household (such as a family) but share one or more basic amenities such as a kitchen or toilet or personal washing facilities (comprising a shower and/or a bath). They are sometimes known as ‘shared houses’ and for those living in the HMO it should be their only or main form of residence, unlike those who live in serviced accommodation which is typically a short-term living arrangement and the occupier has a main residence elsewhere.
We are asking for your views.
View more information and complete the survey
Planning obligations draft supplementary planning document consultation
We are proposing to update the 2015 Planning Obligations Supplementary Planning Document (SPD).
In many instances, a planning application is only considered acceptable if certain infrastructure is provided to off-set negative impacts of development. Examples of infrastructure can include affordable homes, highway improvements, play parks or financial contributions towards education or sports facilities.
This draft Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) would update the existing 2015 Planning Obligations SPD setting out the Council’s approach to planning obligations, what obligations are expected and why they are required. The draft SPD provides up-to-date costs to be attributed to developer contributions, reflecting inflation since 2015.
The SPD also provides further information regarding applications for Discount Market Sale Affordable Housing.
We are asking for your views.
View more information and complete the survey