Former pub to be converted into flats

A former pub in Scarborough is to be converted into residential flats after plans were approved by North Yorkshire Council.

Six flats currently exist on the first and second floors of the former Durham Hotel pub at 44-46 North Marine Road.

Submitted plans stated that the change of use for the building would provide much-needed accommodation in the centre of Scarborough and would not harm the conservation area as no external alterations were proposed to the front of the property.

The proposals, which were approved by the authority on 20 August, stated that the public house had been closed for more than four years and had remained vacant throughout that period.

No objections were made by the Highway Authority, and no comments were received from members of the public.

The council's building conservation officer said that the submitted plans had been "lacking in detail, and it was unclear what materials are proposed for the alterations outlined".

The officer also highlighted that "photographs should have been provided of every elevation and properly annotated architectural drawings provided".

However, planners said the principle of the residential development was acceptable and the conversion to flats "is considered to conform to the characteristics of the surrounding area".

Commenting on the loss of a community facility, officers noted that the submitted information indicated that the pub has been closed for more than four years and had remained vacant.

The applicant stated that the premises were no longer viable as a public house and that no financial records were available at the time the property was acquired, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

"While limited viability information has been submitted, officers note the significant period during which the premises has remained vacant, and the prolonged vacancy is considered to indicate an absence of demand for the continued use of the premises as a public house and weighs in favour of the proposed change of use," officers said.

The proposals were approved by the council subject to conditions.

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