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 now that's odd . . . . here's an extract from the reply from Julie Histon of Tees Valley Regeneration sent in response to Planning Officer's Jim Ferguson's 'consultation e-mail ..... " (the) Hotel was originally described a small high quality 'boutique hotel' so I anticipated an 'up to 40 bed' facility and therefore didn't see this as competing with the 100 bed 4 star hotel proposed for Victoria Harbour. However I now understand that the original proposal was actually for a 120 bed and this is now proposed to increase to 150 bed. This has significant potential to impact on the market for the proposed 100 bed 4 star hotel proposed at Victoria Harbour. It would be useful to have some idea what star rating they anticipate? Also timing for development - Victoria Harbour still forecasting development of hotel at 2013/14. Whilst this isn't a material planning consideration, the Planning Authority may wish to be mindful of the potential impact on Victoria Harbour." . . . . now please read the following statement . . . “Development would be fine but this is far too much and will destroy the park area as well as ruin the view for passers-by and current residents. The plans are both arrogant and selfish" . . . . this is one of the comments sent to the regeneration and planning department about the proposed plan to destroy the marina park and build on it . . . . . . . what's odd about it? . . . well the planning department has classed the sender as a 'supporter' of the scheme . . . . . now that IS odd . . . and here's another odd thing . . . the Jomast plans state that no trees will be up-rooted or buildings demolished as part of their development . . . . now I suppose it depends on what you class as a 'building' but I would have thought that the demolition of the Bandstand at least deserved a mention and if Jomast were playing it straight so too the walled Park but no . . . not a mention . . . and I have to say that I counted at least five trees that, given the age of the park, must be at least 20 years old . . .
The Spin
This is the Council's PR Department's press release announcing the land deal. It fails to mention that the deal also includes the land on which the current park sits
"A SIGNIFICANT land deal has been struck between HMS Trincomalee Trust, Hartlepool Council and local development company Jomast which paves the way for a multi-million pound project at Hartlepool Marina, creating hundreds of new jobs.
Last year Jomast was selected as the preferred developer
for the prime waterfront Maritime Avenue site adjacent to
the paddle steamer Wingfield Castle.
Negotiations for the 990-year lease of the 3-acre site - owned jointly by HMS Trincomalee Trust, Hartlepool Council and English Partnerships - to Jomast were concluded last week after lengthy talks involving Hartlepool Council and other key organisations. Although Planning Permission still has to be agreed, Jomast's exciting £30m proposals for the site include an hotel, waterfront apartments, housing accommodation for the over 55s, cafes, restaurants and office accommodation. The land transaction will result in long-term financial security for HMS Trincomalee Trust and as part of the deal the Trust will repay loans totalling £200,000 to the Council. Hartlepool Mayor Stuart Drummond said: "All of the interested parties have been working overtime to conclude this land deal and I'm delighted that agreement has been reached. "Jomast's proposals are a major part of the continuing efforts to further regenerate our town and the deal also provides financial stability for years to come for HMS Trincomalee - one of Hartlepool's greatest assets."
Bryn Hughes, General Manager for HMS Trincomalee Trust
added: "We are delighted with the outcome as it is both a
key element in our future plans for the Trust, and the hotel
will also have a crucial role in adding to the tourism
appeal of the town at this important time."
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Is This the Moment the Council Lost Control of the Marina?
It has been said that the present Council, or more accurately its administration, has been and continues to be far too quick to sing the tune of the marina developers Jomast and Mandale. Indeed, there are times when they have appeared to be almost over-grateful whenever any plans for development were received. This seems to have been exasperated by the pending Tall Ships Event in 2010 which has led to an all out rush for development - any development - that would reduce the amount of derelict land on the Marina.
Nothing has demonstrated this more vividly than the latest plans by Jomast to develop Trincomalee Wharf - plans which have been spoilt by a preposterous proposal to destroy the small, walled park and Piazza to make room for yet more apartment blocks. Cleverly, though somewhat cynically, Jomast have countered expected resistance to the park development by reserving the apartments for the over 55s in the hope that pressure to increase the amount of 'sheltered housing' negate the loss of the park.
As it stands, the park will be replaced with 50 apartments spread between two, 3 and 5 storey buildings, connected at right-angles. A 7-storey hotel will be built to the west of this with the space in between converted into a residential car park.
Initial protests have led to talk of reducing the number of storeys involved but even to do this is to completely miss the point. Simply put, the land on which the park and piazza sit should never have been sold by the Council for development. It was an outrageous decision which was deliberately hidden under a mountain of sound bites designed to emphasise unproven claims of additional jobs, regeneration and tourism. Even now when the deed is almost done, the Council could and should use its planning powers to ensure that the park and Piazza are left entirely as they are.
This little park was one of the first developments on the marina constructed by the now defunct T.D.C who, I’m told, wisely created a covenant to prevent its redevelopment. This presumably, gave the T.D.C. enough faith in the permanence of the park as to choose it as the site for their own stone memorial. The park is the only public green space on the whole of the Marina. It is used constantly by walkers and more senior citizens for moments of quiet reflection, by mothers and grand parents as a safe play area for children, by toddler and play groups and even newly weds for wedding photographs. The adjoining Piazza has been used for dance groups, exhibitions and even motor trials while the Bandstand has been the focal point for concerts by singers, dance groups, youth bands, Salvation Army Christmas Carol Concerts and even Big Bands.
None of this is of any interest to the developers. Why should it be? There is no money in it. It should, however, be of the greatest interest to the Borough Council and its administration.
I emphasise the council's administration because this site has received several e-mails from objectors to the park proposal who have been less than satisfied by the attitude of staff within the Civic Centre. Where efficient, work-like neutrality was expected they have instead found a disturbing level of partiality and a marked reluctance to confirm, deny or even to discuss the existence of a covenant restricting future development of the park. Indeed, such was the level of partiality encountered that one objector claimed to have been left wondering if he had mistakenly been connected to Jomast's Head Office.
Indeed, there are several reasons to be nervous about the whole Trincomalee Wharf development. The Chief Solicitors Brief to the Cabinet regarding covenants covering the 3 acre development site involved only the Mayor, Stuart Drummond and the relevant portfolio holder, Cllr Robbie Payne and was held in closed session with no minutes ever published. The press release by the council's £1.4m Public Relations Department, while describing the development as 'exciting' and emphasising the more positive aspects of the development entirely failed to mention that the land on which the current park and Piazza had also been sold for development. Additionally, although Jomast claim to have held public consultation on the plans no one on the Marina that we've spoken to can remember any such arrangements being publicised. Certainly they received no communication of such consultation.
So is it too late for the town to save the park and Piazza and in so doing reclaim some of the moral ownership of the marina development? Well nearly but not quite.
The Trincomalee Wharf development is set to go before a special meeting of the Planning Committee which will also discuss the old Steetley Magnesite location; possible in late June. (Ed: Wed 25th June Civic Centre 10 a.m.) The planning committee have the power to amend the development plan and effectively remove the park and Piazza element from the scheme. Alternatively, some councillors are likely to suggest that the planned buildings are merely reduced in height which would be to miss the point entirely.
It's impossible to believe that the Marina is so desperate for yet another apartment block that we should sacrifice a popular public amenity site and what is the only area of public green space within the whole Marina development. The Jomast plan for the park is indeed preposterous. It should be thrown out without hesitation.
To view the full plans for this development go to http://edrms.hartlepool.gov.uk/PAP/SEARCHRESULT.asp?appnumber=H/2007/0918
We have provided details below should you wish to express your views on the park development.
What You Can Do About It
Stranton Ward Councillors
Planning Committee Councillors
Full Contact details can be found here: http://www.hartlepool.gov.uk/site/scripts/council_democracy_index.php
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