Plans to create seven holiday lets in the old North Yorkshire Law offices have been objected to by Whitby Town Council.
A planning application has been submitted to divide the grade II listed building at 23 and 23a Baxtergate into seven apartments, with balconies and a second floor extension on the flat roof of 23a.
Agents, CLB Heritage have submitted the application on behalf of the applicant.
They say: “The proposal seeks to bring this redundant building back into active use to benefit the local economy, enhance the vibrancy of the streetscene and restore the Listed Building.
“Use as offices and restoration to its former single dwelling use are not a viable option, therefore sub-division is necessary.”
However, members of Whitby Town Council’s planning committee recommended it be refused due to concerns about the small size of the flats, balconies over Baxtergate and the fire escape in flat six being in the kitchen.
Coun Elizabeth Mulheren said: “If there was a fire, how would I get out, especially as it is on the top floor.”
There were also concerns about more holiday lets being created in an already saturated market.
Coun Fiona Shackleton added: “We do have to encourage people onto Baxtergate but it is worrying there is more holiday accommodation coming into Whitby.
“I work in the holiday industry and it is completely over-saturated. If people come saying they want to buy a property for a holiday let we are saying ‘buy a property that is already a holiday property’ and don’t turn it into one.
“We can’t have more holiday accommodation without plans coming in for change of use.”
23/23a Baxtergate was built in the late 18th century as a mariner’s house. By 1840 it was being used a solicitor’s office with use as a coroner also being recorded. An archived letter from 1905 suggests it was used as a drug store but went on to again be a solicitor’s office.
North Yorkshire Law closed in 2021. The following year permission was granted to convert the building into a single dwelling, but it was never implemented.
The town council’s planning committee recommended the application be refused but the decision on plans to convert 23/23a Baxtergate will be taken by North Yorkshire Council.
On Monday night, Whitby Town Council also considered, and were in favour, of the following applications.
Application to discharge a condition at land off Sandpiper Place, Whitby; vary condition on appearance of two storey rear extension at 44 Derwent Road, Whitby; new entrance door at ground floor level at The Old Coach Stable, 7 Black Horse Yard Church Street, Whitby; installation of non-illuminated wall-mounted hanging sign at 6 Grape Lane, Whitby; construction of cat slide dormer window at 33 High Street, Ruswarp; rear extension and garage conversion with glazed link at 2 Sea View Close, Whitby; portable cabin club house for Whitby Coastal Rowing Club at Coates Marine Ltd, Whitby Marina Boatyard, Langborne Road, Whitby; replacement/refurbishment of existing signage at Vision Express, 3-4 Wellington Road, Whitby; repairs to roof at 6 Royal Crescent, Whitby; replacement of existing windows and external doors with timber double glazed units, repair to render on rear elevation and reinstatement of a previously blocked side window at 7 Ellerby Lane, Whitby;
