'Awkward’ plans for Whitby holiday apartments refused

Spa House (Whitby) Ltd’s application to demolish and replace a rear extension of a holiday property at 1 Normanby Terrace has been refused by North Yorkshire Council.

The ‘Glencoe’ holiday apartments currently feature four flats and the application proposed a two-storey extension to provide accommodation for the owner.

Located in Whitby’s conservation area, concerns were raised about the impact of the development on the visual nature of the area as well as the amenity of neighbours.

A neighbouring resident submitted an objection to the plan on the grounds that the extension would “block light to our property and severely compromise the natural light to both internal and external living space”.

The resident added: “Our only private outdoor space is to the rear and this would also be compromised by the proposed roof terrace.”

Proposed rear elevations. 1 Normanby Terrace, Whitby. Picture: ark+design

The Highway Authority recommended refusal of the plan due to a lack of parking and the planning authority noted that the absence of adequate on-site parking “would be likely to result in vehicles being parked outside the site on the County Highway to the detriment of the free flow of traffic and road safety”.

Whitby Civic Society also expressed concern for the “impact of the construction and use upon the amenity of neighbours”.

If it had been approved, the owner’s accommodation would have been linked to the existing property via a joint fire escape.

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The council’s environmental health officer said the development could have been acceptable as a holiday let but raised concerns that the smaller proposed bedroom “falls below the minimum standard for a single bedroom”.

The officer added that the bedroom of one flat had “no natural light or ventilation; a habitable room must have adequate natural light and ventilation”.

Planners concluded that the rear extension would be at odds with the “prevailing character of the conservation area” because of its “awkward composition and contemporary design”.

Officers added: “It is considered that such an extension upon a prominent corner plot would have a harmful impact upon the character and appearance of the conservation area… and it is considered to overdevelop the site.”

The application was refused by North Yorkshire Council on Wednesday, August 21.