Decision day over plans for new wedding venue at historic house

PLANNERS ARE recommending the go-ahead for plans to convert an historic building in a Yorkshire market town into a top wedding venue, despite objections from conservation groups.

The Fitzwilliam Malton Estate wants to link the Talbot Hotel with the neighbouring York House in Yorkersgate, Malton.

The plans, which are due to be debated by councillors tomorrow, involve building an extension between the two Grade II* listed buildings with a basement events hall and a ground floor dining hall above. They also include reconstructing the terraced garden south of York House for outdoor events and putting extra guest bedrooms in York House.

But Historic England, The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings, The Georgian Group and The Yorkshire Gardens Trust have all objected. The Yorkshire Gardens Trust said while it does not oppose York House being joined with the Talbot Hotel, it is concerned about noise nuisance for guests, and is worried about a planned pergola being a “heavily dominant feature”.

The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings added: “No clear and convincing justification has been made to justify the proposed use and that the benefits outweigh the harm.”

While broadly supportive of the plans, Historic England said they did not support the scheme in its current form.

But planners said the re-use of York House would help with its long-term maintenance, adding the development will led to a jobs boost as well as increased spending for the local economy by those using the new facility, and “the significant benefit in the re-use of a Grade II* listed building that has been empty for over 10 years”.