Hotel plan dropped after big backlash
Expansion dropped after parish council response
Controversial plans to extend a renowned Grade II-listed country hotel near Bolton Abbey have been dropped after a fierce backlash from parish councillors.
Full planning consent had been sought by The Devonshire Arms Hotel to build three one-storey and two-storey accommodation blocks.
CONTROVERSIAL PLANS to extend a renowned Grade II-listed country hotel near Bolton Abbey have been dropped after a fierce backlash from parish councillors.
Full planning consent had been sought by The Devonshire Arms Hotel to build three onestorey and two-storey accommodation blocks to offer an extra 14 suites. Alterations to the elevation of its 1980s-built east wing, a new lobby entrance, an improved terrace, a new permanent bar area and landscaping also formed part of the scheme.
But the proposals were criticised by Bolton Abbey Parish Council in official objection which stated it saw no merit in the “modernist” design next to a 17th century Grade-II listed building.
It was the second time that the hotel’s owners had tabled a full planning application for an extension. The earlier plan was rejected by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority in May 2016 on the grounds that the scale, position and design of the buildings would have a harmful impact on its setting and the loss of trees. Yet that previous application was more favourable to the parish council, it said, with the most recent application not helped by 3D rendering that made the site look “like a Berber encampment in the Moroccan desert”.
The council felt that if the application had been approved, it would have “made a mockery of the planning process” and would have encouraged ever-more outlandish and inappropriate proposals.
“The suites were variously described as Teletubby houses, sports ground hospitality units and utter rubbish,” the council said.
It also questioned the logic in the proposed development resulting in a 20 per cent loss of current parking spaces. Their comments concluded: “While the council appreciate the economic argument for expanding the hotel it can’t be at the expense of the site’s natural beauty, the very reason the guests are coming here in the first place. In over 20 years as clerk of Bolton Abbey Parish Council I don’t think I have ever seen such an instantly negative reaction to a planning application as this one and can only confirm once more that there is no support from this council for this proposal.”
Yorkshire Dales planning officers recommended the plans for refusal ahead of a meeting to determine the application on Tuesday next week, citing the “poor
We are looking at options for future developments at the site. Richard Palmer, MD of Devonshire Hotels & Restaurants Group Limited.
and unsuitable design” of the proposed hotel suites, the loss of trees and insufficient information to demonstrate there would unlikely to be an adverse impact on bats, or mitigation measures to protect them.
Richard Palmer, managing director of Devonshire Hotels & Restaurants Group Limited, told
The Yorkshire Post that the plans had been dropped after listening to local concerns. He said: “Devonshire Hotels & Restaurants Group Limited have decided, following review of the Committee Report and through discussions with the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority Planning Department, to withdraw the existing planning application for additional bedroom suites at the Devonshire Arms Hotel & Spa. We are looking at options for future developments at the site and will be working closely with relevant people in due course.”