A FORMER bakery has been bought by a council after residents expressed concerns over future use of the building in Hartlepool.

Developing Initiatives for Support in the Community (DISC) had intended to convert the former Anderson’s Bakery in Ashgrove Avenue into four one-bedroom flats but residents felt the development was not appropriate for the local area.

Hartlepool Borough Council’s planning committee turned down the DISC application in February this year.

At a meeting of the authority's finance and policy committee on Monday (June 29) councillors unanimously agreed to buy the building from DISC and convert it into two houses as part of the Empty Homes Programme.

Councillor Christopher Akers-Belcher, chairman of the finance and policy committee and council leader, said: “DISC has indicated to us that they are prepared to sell the building to the council and once the sale is complete we’ll convert it into two family homes as part of our ongoing programme to bring empty homes in the town back into use.

“I fully appreciate that recent months have been a very difficult time for residents living in the area and the council’s determination in finding a solution that resonates with local people’s wishes demonstrates that we are a listening council.”