Member Article

Hartlepool Council unveils future vision

Hartlepool Council will this week unveil a radical new blueprint to revitalise the centre of Hartlepool, spark the town’s wider regeneration and lay the foundations for its future prosperity.

Businesses, landowners and residents are invited to the launch of the Hartlepool Vision which takes place at Hartlepool’s Maritime Experience on Wednesday.

The announcement follows hard on the heels of the Council’s decision to purchase the former Jacksons Landing site which lies at the heart of the marina and is one of several areas earmarked by Council chiefs to be revitalised.

The Hartlepool Vision includes eight key areas of the town which will become the focus to breathe new life and jobs into Hartlepool in coming years.

The sites are the town centre, Jacksons Landing/Trincomalee Wharf and the marina, Church Street, Seaton Carew, the Headland, Wynyard, the Port and Queen’s Meadow.

Councillor Christopher Akers-Belcher, the Leader of Hartlepool Borough Council, said: “The town has many great assets, such as Hartlepool’s Maritime Experience and the marina, but we must build on their success with a bold and achievable plan for regenerating the wider area, especially unused sites such as Jacksons Landing and Trincomalee Wharf.

“It also provides the opportunity to grow the town’s advanced manufacturing, energy and process sectors and drive forward innovation, investment and job creation.

“Our aim is to create major new retail and leisure facilities, increase the town’s profile as a visitor destination and produce much-needed job opportunities for the town.

“The unveiling of the Hartlepool Vision will mark the start of a discussion among Hartlepool residents, businesses and landowners to ensure that the right decisions are made for the future of our town.

“The Hartlepool Vision will also pave the way for the creation of a detailed masterplan which will explore in depth the full potential of the areas and propose realistic solutions for what can be achieved.

“It sends out a clear message that Hartlepool is very much open for business and I hope that over the coming months everyone with an interest in the future of Hartlepool will contribute to the debate so that together we can achieve the very best for the future of our town.”

Adam Hearld, Development Director for Jomast Developments Ltd, added: “As a long-standing investor and developer in the town, Jomast is fully supportive of the Council’s endeavours to masterplan key strategic sites. Our Trincomalee Wharf site with adjoining land and property provides an exciting opportunity to create a comprehensive mixed-use scheme, the sucess of which will undoubtedly be enhanced by a joined-up approach with other important development sites and improved infrastructure in Hartlepool.”

To coincide with the launch, Hartlepool’s Maritime Experience will be open to visitors free of charge on Wednesday. The award-winning attraction incorporates the re-creation of an 18th century seaport and is the proud home of HMS Trincomalee - the oldest British warship still afloat, the paddle steamer Wingfield Castle and the Museum of Hartlepool. It will be open on Wednesday from 11am-4pm.

For more information call (01429) 860077 or visit www.hartlepoolsmaritimeexperience.com

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Steve Hilton .