PLANS to transform a town’s historic waterfront have been moved forward by councillors.

Hartlepool Borough Council’s finance and policy, and regeneration services committees have agreed to formally adopt a plan to regenerate the former five-acre Jacksons Landing site, which had laid dormant for years.

The plans include a water activity centre – which will also offer land-based activities such as climbing and indoor caving.

There will also be an outdoor events arena for attractions around the year such as markets, food festivals, displays and music shows, and the National Museum of the Royal Navy Hartlepool will be expanded onto the waterfront site.

A new four-star hotel and a range of restaurants are also proposed.

The council say the plans will turn the site into a “landmark destination for residents and visitors” – creating several hundred jobs in the process.

Councillor Kevin Cranney, chair of the council’s regeneration services policy committee, said: “As a town, Hartlepool has always been forward-thinking and ambitious.

“These inspiring plans will transform the waterfront, opening an exciting new chapter for residents, businesses and visitors alike.”

Meanwhile, work on the transformation of Hartlepool’s Church Street will begin at the beginning of next week.

The area will be pedestrianised and a large oval event space encircled by trees and raised seating will be created in front of Hartlepool Art Gallery.

There will be an area of lawn and trees between the event space and Church Street, a landscaped walkway along Upper Church Street leading into the event space and new road access to the neighbouring Cleveland College of Art and Design.

A new Workers’ Memorial will also be created at the front of the art gallery, featuring specially engraved stones.

Cllr Christopher Akers-Belcher, leader of the council and chair of the finance and policy committee, added: “With work now getting underway on the regeneration of the Church Street and Church Square areas and about to begin at Seaton Carew, people will see our months of planning now starting to take shape on the ground.

“As work now presses ahead on further detailed planning for the Hartlepool Waterfront development, it all sends a clear message to potential investors in our town.

“We have a bold vision for the future of Hartlepool and we have the drive to make it a reality.”