Grade II listed former hotel to become flats
‘An opportunity to bring the property back to viable use’
Planning permission has been granted for a Grade II listed former hotel on Scarborough’s South Cliff to be turned into flats.
Wright Investments is to transform the Villa Esplanade into 26 self-contained apartments.
Scarborough Council’s planning committee gave the developer permission to undertake the work.
A separate application to turn the ground floor restaurant, El Gringos, into two flats and the basement nightclub Ink bar into a gym have also been submitted to the council but will be dealt with by officers under delegated powers at a later stage.
The planning application for the hotel stated that the prominent building, which was built around 1850, would be saved from falling into disrepair if the plans were approved.
The submission added: “The council is asked to take into account the fact this [hotel] has not operated successfully for tourist and holiday use for a period well in excess of 10 years.
“Our client is looking to develop this site as residential as it is based on sound business reasoning as historically the business has failed for holiday use.”
A report prepared for the planning committee stated that the loss of the hotel would not have a detrimental impact on the area.
It added: “The Villa Esplanade has not been in successful commercial use in recent years and during that time the building has been actively
marketed for sale.
“This application provides an opportunity to see the building brought back into viable use.”
Villa Esplanade is a Grade II listed building of special architectural or historic interest and it also falls within the Scarborough Conservation Area which meant listed building consent was required.
Cllr David Chance said: “I think it is an excellent use of the building and putting it back to what it was.”
Cllr David Jeffels added: “It is an iconic building as has been the case for a couple of hundred years. I think it is a marvellous improvement, particularly coming at this time when we are looking to see new investment in the town post-Covid and I certainly warmly welcome it.”
The plans were approved unanimously.