PLANNING COMMITTEE AGENDA - Hartlepool Borough Council

Planning Committee – 25 th February 2009 4.1
food except in relation to the unit occupied by Aldi where this condition has been
relaxed by the permission in 1991.(H/FUL/0619/91). It will also be relaxed in the
case of units 1 & 4 should planning permission (H/FUL/0104/04) be implemented.
The conditions imposed on the recent 2007 permission (H/2005/5921) restricts the
range of goods that can be sold from the new units should they be erected, the
minimum size of units and the maximum amount of floor space.
Publicity
1.23 The application has been advertised by site notice, neighbour notifications(10)
and in the press. The time period for representations has expired.
Two letters of objection were received from consultants representing the owner of
Anchor Retail Park. A letter of objection was also received from PD Ports. The
writers raise the following issues.
i) Format of application is inappropriate.
ii) The proposal is contrary to policy as it seeks to allow out of centre retail floor
space and allow the sale of goods without restriction, including foods and
goods, that should be sold in the town centre.
iii) The retail statement is deficient and does not satisfactorily demonstrate that
the application accords with retail planning policy.
iv) PD Ports has land currently available at Victoria harbour including 17,094 sq
m of retailing. These sites provide sequentially preferable sites to the
application site and a better and more sustainable location through the
provision of critical mass to support an improved retail offer. They will also act
as a catalyst for wider regeneration opportunities which would enable closer
links to the town centre and existing Marina development. It is felt that if this
permission is approved this would create a competing out of town retail
locality which would undermine developer confidence in Victoria Harbour.
This would prejudice wider regeneration proposals and have an adverse
impact on retailing in the town centre and Marina. National Planning
Guidance should be considered. Whilst current economic conditions are
having an impact on the retail market in general, should there be a
requirement for additional critical mass within the retail offer at Hartlepool it is
felt that this would best be accommodated at Victoria Harbour.
Copy letters C
Consultations
1.24 The following consultation responses have been received:
Head of Public Protection - No objection.
Northumbrian Water - No objection.
4.1 Planning 25.02.09 Pl anning apps 5