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30
Aug 2024
Nidd Hall to expand room offering
Nidd Hall hotel looks set to expand its guest accommodation.
The 18th Century site, which is owned by Warner Hotels, submitted plans to North Yorkshire Council to convert a former stable block into five additional guest rooms.
The plans for the Grade II listed building were lodged in June but were approved yesterday.
According to planning documents, the conversion work is focussed on the north-western wing of a former stable block, which is currently used as staff accommodation.
The application proposed to carry out “internal reconfigurations” to form the new guest rooms, but added no external architectural changes would be made to the existing building.
Documents say "fabric partitions" will be removed, while new partitions and en-suite bathrooms will be installed as part of the development.
The plans add:
The current staff area comprises five sleeping rooms, including one with an en-suite on the first floor, two shared bathrooms, and a kitchen facility. The proposed layout will reconfigure these into five double guest rooms, each with an en-suite bathroom.
Minor modifications to the roof will introduce tile vents for extract ventilation.
All refurbishment efforts will respect the building's external character, enhancing the internal quality of space and finishes.
Documents attribute the move to “high demand at the hotel”, adding the conversion offers a solution to “increase guest capacity without the need for new construction or extensions”.
The stable block’s proximity to guest facilities and existing rooms makes it an ideal candidate for conversion from staff accommodation to guest rooms.
The existing pedestrian and vehicle access points and routes will be retained, planning documents say, adding people will still be able to use the hotel car park.
The design and access statement says:
The new guest rooms will meet the Warner brand standards, featuring functional layouts with wardrobes, vanity units, double beds, en-suites and adequate circulation space.
Each room will have windows or roof lights to ensure high-quality accommodation.
But Warner Hotels required listed building consent from North Yorkshire Council to carry out the work.
Listed building consent is needed when work that may affect the character of a building with special architectural and historic interest is proposed.
However, according to a council report, the authority found the proposals will “preserve the listed building, its setting and its architectural and historic interest” and approved the plans subject to conditions.
According to Warner Hotels’ website, Nidd Hall is set in 45 acres of ground and currently offers 193 rooms, as well as four historic lounges, two restaurants and a “show theatre”. People can also enjoy traditional games in the grounds, a leisure centre with a heated pool, sauna and steam room at the hotel.
The hotel itself was built by a Bradford wool merchant, the website says, adding it also has a church in the ground which is open for service.
The Stray Ferret contacted Warner Hotels for comment but we did not receive a response at the time of publication.
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