A DEVELOPER is planning to demolish its headquarters and build new homes on the site.

Yuill Homes has applied for permission to build 19 detached houses in Loyalty Road, Hartlepool.

The development will consist of 13 four-bedroomed houses and six three-bedroomed properties, all with garages.

Access to the site will be from Loyalty Road, but the development, if given the go-ahead, will also front Belle Vue Way.

A spokeswoman for Yuill said the current office building was outdated.

"The application is part of a medium to long-term planning exercise concerning the company headquarters," she said.

"The building, named after our founder, Cecil Yuill, was constructed in 1969 and is consequently showing signs of age.

"Aware that investment will be needed in the years ahead, we are considering the best way to create a modern head office in keeping with our position as a leading North- East housebuilder."

She said options included a major re-fit of Cecil House, demolition of the office and building on the site, or constructing an office on another site and moving.

"In order to fully evaluate these options, the planning application has been lodged to establish whether a move to new premises is viable," she added.

"No decision is expected to be taken in the near future, and no significant work would take place on site for several years."

Yuill submitted an application to build 32 houses on the site earlier this year, but withdrew it in February when concerns were raised over the density of the scheme and impact on roads and landscaping.

Planning officers have not yet recommended whether the proposal should be given approval, as a further report on the plans is expected.