Coffee bar and live music venue operating without permission could face enforcement action

Enforcement action could be taken over a newly opened bar after plans for its operation were rejected by councillors.

Coffee bar and live music venue 'The Intro' opened at 117 York Road last month after previously being located on Hartlepool Marina before closing in June. A licensing application was approved in July giving the site permission to sell alcohol and play live and recorded music during designated hours and imposing conditions such as installing a noise limiter, which is in place.

However the most recent gathering of Hartlepool Council planning committee heard the site had started operating despite not having planning permission in place. Proposals had been submitted earlier this year to the local authority to convert the York Road building into a bar and went before the latest meeting of councillors for a decision.

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The application from Ashley Johns at Team Tilly Leisure had been recommended for approval by planning officers. However councillors decided to unanimously reject the proposals after raising concerns over noise, health and safety issues linked to bin storage and fire exits, and a potential increase in crime.

Councillor Mike Young, speaking at the meeting, highlighted the York Road area already sees dispersal orders issued "on a regular basis". Councillor Karen Oliver added: "I do have huge concerns about the smoking areas, the cigarette butts that will be left, the bottle collection stored at the back, and the noise of that."

Council legal officers at the meeting said should the venue continue to operate without planning permission in place it "would be for the planning enforcement team to consider whether, in the public interest, the test is met to take any action". The committee also heard the applicant could appeal the decision to the national Planning Inspectorate.

Planning agent Jonathan Loughrey, at the meeting on behalf of the applicant, said the issues raised have been "discussed many times with council planning officers" and they have done their "best with the building and its layout and design". He added the site is still subject to building control department involvement which could see further protection and noise reduction measures implemented.

In recommending approval, council planning officers said the use was considered "to be acceptable in principle in this town centre location". They considered there "would not be significant negative impact on neighbour amenity, highway safety or waste management".

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