Tag: Planning

Objections to plan to convert former Whitby solicitor’s office into seven holiday lets

Whitby Anchor by Emma Ryan

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.”

The former North Yorkshire Law building was once a mariner’s house. Picture: Ceri Oakes

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 Council will decide on the application. Picture: Ceri Oakes

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;

Popular Sandsend cafe “won’t change much”, say owners, as demolition and rebuild plan approved

Whitby Anchor by Emma Ryan

One of Sandsend’s most popular cafes is going to be demolished and rebuilt with more floorspace and updated facilities to make the long-standing business more efficient.

Planning permission has been granted for Sandside Cafe, which overlooks the beach from East Row, to be knocked down and replaced by a new build cafe which will have an extra 100 square metres of floorspace.

The new ground floor will have a kitchen area and serving space, smaller customer welfare facilities, a store accessed from the kitchen and a bin store accessed from the footpath on Sandsend Road, as is the current arrangement.

Main seating areas will be on the northern and eastern sides of the building where customers can enjoy coastal views.

The inclusion of a first floor will be within the roof space of the new building and will have a staff room, office and toilet.

In statements provided to North Yorkshire Council planners, applicants and cafe owners, Paul and Alison Hodgson, say the development will “provide an improved building that allows the business to operate more efficiently whilst also improving facilities for staff and customers and keeping up with growing customer numbers.”

Renovating the existing building was ruled out because over time it has been added to in sections, and because two years ago, a car crashed into the cafe compromising its structure.

Alison added: “We have an opportunity to make it flow better and improve it, but the cafe itself won’t change much at all.”

She told The Anchor the work will be done out of season but whether it is this year, or next, depends upon being able to co-ordinate all the project management elements. 

The initial plans for the new build Sandsend Cafe resulted in concerns about the size, scale and height of it, but the owners and designers made “significant amendments” to reduce the overall mass and still meet the business requirements.

Whitby Town Council to discuss local planning applications and Christmas market plans

Whitby Anchor by Emma Ryan

Two Whitby Town Council meetings will be held tomorrow with the planning committee and then the community and events committee gathering.

They are the first of the council’s meetings scheduled for June, and the first since the new committees were formed at the annual meeting of the council in May.

Members of Whitby Town Council’s planning committee will consider and comment on five applications, submitted and validated in May, with final decisions made by either the North York Moors National Park Authority or North Yorkshire Council.

The first one is in relation to the Anglo-American polyhalite project.

A detailed and lengthy planning application seeks permission for removal of the annual polyhalite production restriction, revisions to the layout of surface development including; redesign and relocation of the ventilation shaft and temporary winding headframe with associated installation of ventilation fan house; installation of Bulk Air Cooling (BAC) plant and associated refrigeration and heat exchange infrastructure, amendments to the Production and Service Shaft buildings to accommodate a logistics hub; relocation of the Welfare Building and associated car parking; relocation of a redesigned substation; reconfiguration of landscape bunds; revision of the surface water drainage scheme, retention of north and south facility hub buildings and retention of ancillary infrastructure. 

In addition, for Ladycross Plantation, permission is sought for revisions to the layout of surface development including; the retention of the relocated Minerals Transport System (MTS) shaft and associated erection of headhouse building and ancillary infrastructure and; reduction of the final landform, including removal of approved waste management facilities.

A Worcestershire based construction company, AVH Ltd UK has submitted plans for alterations and fit out works to support retail operations at 1 Sandgate, Whitby, the former Holland & Barrett shop.

The application says works include removal of existing fixtures, widening a doorway with  fire-rated doors, installation of units, racking, and shelving, and decorating walls, doors, and floors. Electrical and plumbing works include new lighting, CCTV, fire alarm adaptations, and  minor WC upgrades. Signage and graphics installed in accordance with brand standards.

Other applications are: Retrospective application for re-roofing works at 24 Pier Road, Whitby; Retrospective application for the removal of boundary railings and wall section for parking and access gate at 1 Arundel House, Bagdale, Whitby; Front porch and garage extension with cladding and render to property at 36 Mayfield Road, Whitby.

Following the planning meeting, councillors of the community and events committee will discuss the latest plans for Armed Forces Day on June 27, Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day, coach parking in Whitby and also the Whitby Christmas Festival, planned for November 13 to 15.

Council reports predict the Christmas Festival will cost £33,220 to stage but will make £39,800 thanks to the costs for stallholders to hire sheds and gazebos, donations and grants.

Both meetings will take place in the Pannett Art Gallery, Tuesday June 2, with planning at 5.15pm and events at 6pm.

Planning applications for Whitby developments under consideration

Whitby Anchor by Emma Ryan

A detached garage, changes to affordable housing provision, a new boat shed and a new bar feature amongst the planning applications set to be considered by Whitby Town Council’s planning committee.

The town council has been notified of the applications by North Yorkshire Council, the authority which will make the decision on whether they get the go-ahead.

Up for debate at this evening (Tuesday) at 5pm at Pannett Art Gallery are:

Discharge of conditions 16, 17, 19, and 24 relating to 22/02513/FL at land off Sandpiper Place, Whitby.

Sycamore Tree – 10 per cent canopy reduction of branches highlighted at 25 St Hildas Terrace, Whitby.

Proposed detached garage at Egremont House, Ruswarp Fields, Ruswarp.

Replace two rotted wooden dorma windows, one small wooden landing window and two rear metal windows of property with high quality UPVC windows at White Horse Cottage, White Horse Yard, Church Street, Whitby.

Erection of a single storey shed for maintenance and repair of boats used for hire at Ruswarp Pleasure Boats, The Carrs, Ruswarp.

Installation or replacement windows in uPVC at 19 John Street, Whitby.

Installation of vinyl graphics to existing staff office cabin at Fish Quay, Pier Road, Whitby.

Change of use from C1 (hotels) to C3 (dwellinghouse) with ancillary annexe at 2A Love Lane, Whitby.

Discharge of condition 17 (Affordable Housing) in relation to application ZF24/01979/RM at Broomfield Farm, Stainsacre Lane, Whitby.

Change of use from post office (Class E – Commercial, Business and Service use) to pub/bar (sui generis) at Church Street Post Office, 100 Church Street, Whitby.

Erection of annexe with parking at 9 Westlands Avenue, Whitby.

Variation of condition no 1 of application reference SCA22/02460/FL at Middle Earth Tavern, 25-26 Church Street, Whitby.

Installation of a corner multi fuel burner with an external flue at 4 Croft Farm, The Avenue, Ruswarp.

Whitby Anchor