Wesley Chapel to be renovated after fire

Developers have been clearing the building of fire damage and debris

Weeks after a "devastating" fire at a Grade II listed chapel in Hartlepool, developers have said they will continue with plans to convert it into a hotel.

The Wesley Chapel in Hartlepool sustained damage in a large blaze on 7 November.

Built in 1873, the building on Victoria Road had previously stood empty since an arson attack in 2017.

Adam Hearld, from Jomast Developments, confirmed: "We are committed to regenerating The Wesley."

The developer and Hartlepool Council said the main building remains structurally sound and largely unscathed following the November blaze.

No-one was working in the building at the time of the fire, developers say.

Mr Hearld said: "Whilst the fire will cause inevitable delays in the short term, we are exploring ways we can accelerate the regeneration work and, as a result, reduce the impact of the fire on the project timescales."

Leader of Hartlepool Borough Council Mike Young said the authority remains "committed to bringing this key local landmark back into use".

Cleveland Police initially arrested three teenage boys on suspicion of arson and bailed them while investigations continue.

A further three teenage boys have also been arrested, questioned and released on bail.