Approval recommended for upgrade of luxury hotel

Proposals for a significant upgrade to the facilities at a luxury hotel, spa and golf club in North Yorkshire look set to take a significant step forward later today (12 September 2023).Rudding Park submitted an outline application to North Yorkshire Council earlier this year to replace and upgrade its existing facilities.The estate comprises a 90-bedroom hotel and luxury spa facility, a holiday and caravan park, and an 18 and six-hole golf course and driving range.Rudding Park House is a grade I-listed building and is set within substantial parkland, which is itself a grade II registered park and garden.Planning permission is sought for the demolition of a number of buildings and structures, including the existing golf club facility, and construction of a new destination golf and country club to provide replacement facilities and a swimming pool.A new tennis pavilion, outdoor tennis courts, car parking, related facilities would be created.Restoration works would be undertaken to the existing walled garden, and a new family facility built adjacent to it featuring a children’s activity centre, indoor and outdoor swimming pool, café and creche.Improvements would be made to existing and expansion of car parking areas, and a series of routes and walkways created.It has been estimated that an additional 75 full-time jobs would be created at Rudding Park when all elements of the proposal are up and running, an increase of more than 20 per cent. The proposed development could also generate an additional economic impact of £14.3m per year through employment, local suppliers and tourism spend multiplier effects.The application will be considered by North Yorkshire Council’s strategic planning committee on 12 September. An officer’s report prepared for the meeting recommends that approval is granted, subject to conditions and the signing of a legal agreement. Approval would also be subject to the secretary of state for housing, communities and local government not calling in the application.The report said: “The cumulative public benefits of the proposal constitute ‘very special circumstances’ that would outweigh potential harm to the green belt by reason of inappropriateness, and which would outweigh any other harm resulting from the proposal.”