Whitby hotel expansion plans given go ahead

The owners of the Raithwaite Estate between Whitby and Sandsend applied to Scarborough council to extend Raithwaite Hall to add another 30 rooms to the building.

The hall has 45 rooms at present with another 28 in The Keep.

In 2018 the owners, Raithwaite Trading Company Limited, were granted permission for a £31 million development consisting of 71 cottages, 82 apartments, 37 lodges and a restaurant.

The new application, which is another part of the estate, went before the council’s planning committee today, with councillors granting approval.

The supporting documents lodged with the council by the Raithwaite Trading Company stated: “The additional accommodation (and some internal reconfiguration) is needed to provide the hotel with the level of accommodation and upgrade in facilities required to position itself as a leading and high-quality hotel within the borough.

“The proposal will help Raithwaite Estate to make a greater contribution to Whitby and the surrounding area through the provision of enhanced tourist accommodation and facilities.”

The new extension will be taller than the existing hall and will be the first thing visitors see when they pull up to the hotel.

Speaking during today’s meeting, Cllr Glenn Goodberry said: “It is a beautiful development and this proposal will only enhance it further.”

Cllr David Jeffels said that the investment in the hotel should be “welcomed with open arms.”

Works to improve the access road to the hotel, which were part of the 2018 planning application, must be completed before work on the new scheme can begin.

Five objections to the plans were received from members of the public, who feared the extension will lead to an increase in traffic and would be an overdevelopment on the site.

The plans were approved unanimously by councillors.