Member Article

Land sale to protect frontline services

Land sale will help to protect frontline services

A FORMER ambulance depot and land in Hartlepool has been placed on the market.

The 4.28 acre Briarfields site off Elwick Road is earmarked for executive housing and money generated from the sale will help Hartlepool Council fund frontline services in the wake of Government funding cuts.

Advertised in the property press and described as an outstanding residential development opportunity, the site is being sold by informal tender. Those interested have until Friday 27 November to make their submission to the Council.

The sale particulars state: “Situated in the Park Conservation Area, the site represents an unrivalled opportunity to develop exclusive housing in the most prestigious area of Hartlepool.

“Located approximately 1 mile from the town centre and within 4 miles of the A19, the site is mainly level and currently grassed. Adjoining high class residences, it has a number of well established trees on the eastern and western boundaries. The former Ambulance Depot, which comprises of four buildings, is located on the northern boundary.”

Councillor Christopher Akers-Belcher, the Leader of Hartlepool Council, said: “The Government’s austerity cuts have hit Hartlepool particularly hard and they will continue to do so over the next few years.

“Consequently, the Council has had to be very flexible and innovative and introduce a whole host of initiatives to help protect frontline services the best it can.

“One such programme has involved rationalising the use of buildings across the town and disposing of land and assets that are surplus to requirement in a planned and measured way.

“The Briarfields site has the potential to attract much-needed money into the Council and the proceeds will help us to meet the ongoing financial challenges we face.

“This is a prime site which provides an opportunity to enhance an important area of our town and we anticipate that there will be significant interest from developers.”

Any proposed development would be subject to the necessary planning permissions.

For further information about the site contact Fiona Bullen at Hartlepool Council on (01429) 523064 or email fiona.bullen@hartlepool.gov.uk

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