Plans to tackle blight of disused property in town

The former 42nd Street nightclub is among Hartlepool's empty buildings

Plans to look at tackling derelict land and buildings have been drawn up after a year-long investigation.

Labour-run Hartlepool Council’s audit and governance committee carried out the study and has presented a final report.

It noted that disused properties could have "wider negative impacts on communities", including being a "catalyst" for crime and economic degeneration.

Councillor Corinne Male, Burn Valley ward representative, told the committee: "This comes down to quality of life for people living in Hartlepool, both the people living in particular areas that are directly affected, but also for Hartlepool as a town as a whole."

Council tax empty property data from September 2023 showed there were 1,960 homes registered as empty in Hartlepool, 4.4% of dwellings, with 264 empty for more than two years.

The investigation found a "complexity of factors" with "no 'one size fits all' solution" to the issue, adding it could be a "lengthy and costly" process.

The report's recommendations include exploring improved incentives, such as planning help, to return sites to use, and higher financial costs to owners of disused properties.

It also suggested a reintroduced landlord licensing scheme and a tenant registration scheme.

The report will now be presented to various other council committees for consideration.