Plans to convert ‘unviable’ pub near Pateley Bridge refused

Plans to convert an “unviable” 110-year-old former pub near Pateley Bridge into a holiday home have been refused.

The Birch Tree, at Lupton Bank in Glasshouses, closed in March 2020.

Planning permission was granted to convert the majority of the pub into three holiday flats while retaining a small public bar.

A subsequent application to convert the remaining pub into a two-bedroom cottage has now been refused.

Planning documents by Dacre Banks-based firm Yarntex Two said the building had attracted “no local interest or expressions of interest from further afield”.

They added:

“Sadly, there appears to be no viable future for the pub and provision of a further holiday cottage to supplement and enhance the others is surely the best option for the building.”

But North Yorkshire Council rejected the proposal this week.

The council said it was “not satisfied that the pub has been marketed at a suitable value”. Pateley Bridge Town Council had raised the same concern during the consultation period.

North Yorkshire Council’s decision report added:

“No details have been provided of the sales particulars, value it has been marketed at and original sale price. Additionally trading accounts, license details and opening hours have not been provided. Marketing of the pub has not continued for 12 consecutive months.”

It also said the interior of the pub had been stripped, which would “put off potential buyers” and no attempt had been made to market the pub for alternative community uses.

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Harrogate district camp and caravan sites see bookings boom

Campsites, caravan parks and holiday homes across the Harrogate district will reopen tomorrow.  With uncertainty over foreign travel, the UK staycation business is set for a bumper season.

Toni Fernandes, general manager of Lido Leisure Park in Knaresborough, says that their 500 holiday home owners are “dying to come back”.  Many have not been able to use their second homes since the November lockdown.

“We think over the next two years we’ll be very popular. There’ll be lots of holidays in our own country; I think it will be very good for the economy.”

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Graham Thompson, general manager of the Harrogate Caravan Park has told the Stray Ferret that bookings have been “crazy busy”. The caravan park is now almost fully booked with bank holiday weekends totally booked out.

“There’s an appetite for people trying to get out of their houses and into the countryside. I think people will be staying in this country to holiday – I think we have a lot to offer.

We had a very successful year last year with lots of visitors saying they felt very safe.”

In Killinghall, Tanya Umpleby of The Cud Life campsite has been inundated with booking requests despite her website showing that her weekends are booked up.

“The demand has been much higher this year but when you’re full you’re full.

“We’re really looking forward to welcoming everyone back. Our regulars are already booked in and excited to return.”

The Cud Life are opening up both of their rental cottages and five caravans and open ten tent sites in July.