Plan to turn ex-school caretaker's house into group teaching spaces given green light

English Martyrs, Hartlepool
-Credit: (Image: Google Maps)


Plans have been approved to convert a former school caretaker's house into group teaching spaces.

Proposals had been submitted to Hartlepool Council's planning department for the vacant two storey property at English Martyrs Catholic School and Sixth Form College in Catcote Road. The application noted the caretaker's house is currently empty and unused since a recent retirement and change of site management policy, meaning it is "surplus to requirements".

However the proposals, submitted by Bishop Hogarth Catholic Education Trust, stated smaller learning spaces "are in short supply and this house could be readily altered to provide a small group teaching block". A report from council planning officers has confirmed the application to convert the site for such use has been approved and deemed "acceptable".

It added the alterations to make it a classroom building would "not result in significant adverse impacts" for neighbours. A "school statement" had explained there is "additional student need for small group work and intervention and exam access arrangements".

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