Community meeting rooms at Hartlepool Temple, Hartlepool

What was proposed

The application sought to change a first-floor self-contained flat into education, worship, religious instruction and community meeting rooms without external alterations.

“The application seeks planning permission for the change of use of the first floor self contained flat within the Hartlepool Salvation Army Temple building from residential use to a use for the provision of education; for, or in connection with, public worship or religious instruction; and as a hall or meeting place for the principal use of the local community (F1 and F2 Use Classes).”

“The supporting Planning Statement has been amended during the course of consideration, to give clarification and details of the nature of the proposed uses. The Planning Statement indicates that the proposed use would be for the provision of education (Use Class F1(a)), for or in connection with public worship or religious instruction (Use Class F1(f)) or as a hall or meeting place for public use (Use Class F2(b)).”

Officer report

The site and its surroundings

The temple is beside residential properties, with existing parking and a separate rear staircase serving the unused first-floor flat.

“The application site comprises a building known as the Hartlepool Salvation Army Temple, at 133-135 Park Road in Hartlepool. The host building is located on the southern side of Park Road, immediately west of the junction with Landsdowne Road. The building is adjacent to 2 Landsdowne Road to the south, 136 Park Road, 1A and 1B Wansbeck Gardens to the west, all of which are residential properties.”

“The existing residential flat is accessed from a separate staircase located towards the rear (south) of the host building. The submitted Planning Statement indicates that the residential flat was constructed to accommodate the Salvation Army Corps Officer, and that on site accommodation is now much less frequently used and in recent times the self-contained flat has fallen into disuse.”

Officer report

Earlier planning history

An earlier application for alterations and replacement windows, doors and rainwater goods was approved in 2011.

“The following planning applications are considered to be relevant to the application site:”

“H/2011/0273 - Alterations and replacement of windows and doors and rainwater goods. Approved 22/08/2011.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers considered the proposal acceptable under relevant planning policies and recommended conditional approval.

“The relevant matters have been considered in detail, and the proposed change of use is therefore considered to be acceptable in respect of Policies HE1, HE3, HE4, HE7, RC21, QP4, QP5 and QP6 of the Hartlepool Local Plan (2018), and the paragraphs 96, 129, 131, 135, 198, 202 and 210 of the NPPF (2024) and is recommended to be conditionally approved.”

“It is considered by Officers that the proposal in the context of relevant planning policies and material planning considerations is acceptable as set out in the Officer's Report.”

Officer report

What consultees said

Heritage, highways, public protection and police consultees raised no overall objection, while conditions or advice were proposed on hours, noise, security and building regulations.

“HBC Public Protection: Environmental Protection has reviewed the proposed change of use at The Salvation Army Temple, Hartlepool.”

“Environmental Protection raises no objection subject to conditions as outlined above.”

Officer report

What residents said

Thirteen public objections concerned traffic, congestion, parking, safety, antisocial behaviour, residential suitability and overlooking, with one objection later withdrawn.

“The application has been advertised by way of notification letters to 17 neighbouring properties and by site notice. To date, there have been thirteen objections received from members of the public.”

“The objections raise concerns which are summarised as follows: • Increase in traffic and congestion, • Unsuitable parking provision, • Safety and anti-social behaviour, • Not suitable for a residential area, • Overlooking.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The applicant and objector were absent, so no representation was made at the meeting.

The committee vote

Councillor Male moved approval in line with the officer recommendation, Councillor Thompson seconded it, and members voted unanimously by show of hands.

“The Senior Planning Officer outlined the application. It was the officer recommendation to approve the application subject to planning conditions set out in the report. The Applicant and Objector were not present at the meeting therefore no representation was made. Councillor Male moved that the application be approved as per the officer recommendation. This was seconded by Councillor Thompson. The application was approved unanimously by show of hands.”

Minutes

The decision and conditions

Planning permission was approved with conditions controlling commencement, approved plans, permitted uses and operating hours.

“The development to which this permission relates shall be begun not later than three years from the date of this permission. By virtue of the provision of Section 91 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended). The development hereby approved shall be in accordance with the following plans and details; Dwg. No.09 Rev A (Location Plan at a scale of 1:1250, and Site Plan at a scale of 1:500), Dwg. No.06 Rev A (Proposed East and West Elevations), Dwg.”

Minutes