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10
Mar
First phase of proposed health and wellness centre at Nidd farm approved
Plans to create short-term visitor accommodation at a farm near Harrogate have been approved.
In Hot Property (Investment) Ltd sought consent from North Yorkshire Council’s to redevelop buildings at Rock Hall Farm in Nidd in December.
The company, which brands itself as “your corporate accommodation partner” on its website, applied to demolish and replace a four-bay garage at the site, which it says is in a "structurally poor condition", with a two-bedroom unit.
In addition, it sought to convert an existing workshop into three further accommodation units.
The now-approved plans are described as phase one of a “proposed health and wellbeing centre”, and will provide an initial revenue stream whilst the details of phase two are finalised.
According to planning documents, In Hot Property hopes to “redefine experiential hospitality" by "blending luxury, nature, and personal growth in a transformative retreat setting”.
Plans add:
The development will provide corporate business streams with immersive leadership, wellness and team building experiences fostering resilience, creativity, and collaboration. At weekends, the development will welcome leisure guests seeking escape, connection and relaxation offering bespoke stays surrounded by nature.
The proposal will become a significant tourist and leisure attraction development with temporary accommodation.
Alongside the new accommodation units, a two-storey extension will be erected to the south side of the main farmhouse as part of the plans.
The proposal says:
The proposal is to retain the use of Rock Hall as a house (within the C3 use class) but to extend it to its southern elevation to improve the quality of the accommodation. At present, the house has a narrow plan with four very small bedrooms to the first floor.
The proposal is to extend over two storeys as an ‘infill’ between the existing conservatory/northern wing and the workshops to the east.
The extension allows for the creation of a larger, modern, open-plan living arrangement to the ground floor. At the first floor, the same number of bedrooms as existing are created but of a usable/comfortable size for modern living.
The applicant's economic impact and revenue forecast. Credit: Jay Everett BSC Hons MRTPI
Planning documents add the applicant expects to spend around £3.7 million on the development and anticipates the new site will result in “significant benefits to the wider economy through job creation and visitor spend”.
Plans say:
The proposal for high-quality, short-term visitor accommodation for both corporate businesses and tourism/leisure markets would bring economic and tourism benefits. It would undoubtedly increase visitor numbers and visitor spend, with the proposed unique high-quality product helping to showcase the area to businesses and visitors alike.
An additional 14 parking spaces will also be created at the site, taking the total to 20.
North Yorkshire Council gave the plans the go-ahead subject to several conditions.
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