Multimillion-pound transformation of hall approved
Kirklevington HallThe multimillion-pound redevelopment of a historic hall as a luxury hotel has been granted planning permission.
The former Judges Country House Hotel, in Yarm, will be renovated into a five-star boutique hotel and spa with a restaurant extension and events pavilion for weddings and other gatherings.
The Kirklevington Hall scheme, led by Teesworks boss and property developer Chris Musgrave OBE, hopes to attract 32,700 visitor nights a year.
Planning services manager Simon Grundy said the hotel would be "a real asset to the borough".
Plans also include converted stables and courtyard for events and eight-walled garden lodges, as well as outline plans for up to 20 woodland lodges and 27 residential plots.
The development will have two phases, with the housing sales to provide funding for the hotel works, and the woodland lodges and spa in the second phase once the hotel becomes profitable.
Residents supported a footpath between Kirklevington and Yarm near the A67, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
Urged a rethink
Parish councillor Ali McLee said it was a "once-in-a-lifetime opportunity" for an improved foot and cycle path.
Council planning officers did not support this as it would mean mature tree loss and "significant environmental and visual impact" but the developer would allow access through the hall grounds.
Yarm councillor, Andrew Sherris, urged a rethink on this, saying there had been broad support for the hotel with a safer route, less for the housing plots as it was feared these could be a "Trojan horse".
He said: "Pedestrian safety is more important than trees and shrubland."
The vote on the plan was split six-six, and it was approved with committee chair Mick Stoker's casting vote.
