A MAJOR consultation has begun to seek the views of Hartlepool residents and businesses on a radical new regeneration blueprint for the town.

Hartlepool Borough Council has initiated the ambitious Regeneration Masterplan which forms part of the Hartlepool Vision to revitalise the centre of Hartlepool, the Marina and Hartlepool Waterfront.

Damien Wilson, the Council’s Assistant Director (Regeneration), said: “The Masterplan will address a number of strategic aims including making Hartlepool a major leisure and visitor destination, improving shopping in the town and regenerating Jacksons Landing, Church Street and Trincomalee Wharf.”

The Masterplan lists a number of priority projects including:

• Working with the National Museum of the Royal Navy (NMRN) to develop a tourist attraction of national and international significance in the heart of the Marina. This could include the NMRN incorporating the former Jacksons Landing building as part of any future development.

• Major improvements to the Middleton Grange Shopping Centre including improved frontages onto Victory Square and relocating the Mill House Leisure Centre alongside the shopping centre.

• The creation of a ‘skills quarter’ in the Church Street area, including the building of a new Hartlepool College of Art & Design.

People have until Thursday, February 12 to air their views. Contact Rob Smith at Hartlepool Council on 01429 523531 or email rob.smith@hartlepool.gov.uk

After comments have been taken onboard from the consultation, the Masterplan is expected to be finalised in March 2015