Plans for new flats and penthouses with sea views given outline planning permission

A substantial town centre development in Redcar promising flats and penthouses with sea views has been granted outline planning permission.

The plans involve creating a two storey extension to Craigton House, in West Terrace, which currently has retail units on the ground floor with nine existing flats spread over the first and second floors.

Thirty new flats would be added, being a mix of one, two and three bedrooms, with penthouse suites on the top floor with sea views and balconies.

The building would also be brightened up with vibrant colours and street art elements.

Other elements include an extension to the rear car park, which would become an underground parking area with 16 secure spaces.

Outline planning permission is a two step process in which the principle of development is agreed, allowing more detailed plans to be drawn up and submitted to the local planning authority.

A previously submitted supporting statement said: “The development offers a diverse mix of flat types, providing suitable accommodation for families, young professionals and older people, helping to meet the broad housing needs of the community and support population retention in the town.”

Saltburn-based architect Rob Henderson, who worked on the design, said it was intended to be a “bit special”.

He said: “The planning officers have been really helpful and have been swayed that it does work and will be good for Redcar.

“Redcar has lost a lot of its tradition and it’s about creating something new and looking forward.”

A council officer’s report said the additional two storeys above the existing building would increase the maximum height from 10.7m to 16.9m.

It said some details had been revised following concern regarding access into the rear of the retail units.

Four objections were received by Redcar and Cleveland Council mainly focusing on parking issues and the impact on existing residents.

The report said Craigton House was in a sustainable location and close to a range of public transport methods, including bus routes and Redcar Central train station.

Regards the potential impact on the character and appearance of the area, the report said: “It is granted the proposed extensions will be greater in height than other surrounding buildings, nevertheless the site is on a prominent corner within the town centre which is suitable for a building of the proposed scale.

“The proposal is considered acceptable in terms of design and would not have an adverse impact on the character and appearance of the street scene or wider area.

“Limited details have been provided in relation to the final materials to be used [so] conditions are therefore recommended to ensure that these details are agreed prior to installation.”

The report also considered the impact on ‘heritage assets’ with the grade two listed town clock just yards away on the opposite side of West Terrace/West Dyke Road, concluding it would have a neutral impact on its setting.

Another element discussed was the proximity to two neighbouring buildings with residential elements, Henson Mews.

The report said: “Due to the orientation of the main habitable room windows on Henson Mews it is considered the proposed extensions will not lead to a loss of privacy.

“It is granted that the extensions will increase the height and bulk close to Henson Mews, nevertheless given the scale of surrounding buildings and the town centre location, the proposal is considered acceptable and will not have a sufficiently detrimental overbearing impact to warrant refusal.”

The report also said the council’s development engineers had no objection to the proposal, subject to the inclusion of conditions relating to cycle and bin storage, car park layout, pedestrian access and a required method of works statement.