Whitby restaurant granted permission to put 22 lodges on land

A Whitby restaurant has been granted planning permission to put 22 lodges on its grounds to allow it to grow as a business.

John and Sue Morley, who own and run The Stables at Cross Butts in Guisborough Road, applied to Scarborough Council for permission for the change of use of land to the south of the property to place 18 holiday lodges and four “glamping pods” on it.

Originally, a total of 31 units were proposed when the plans were submitted in January but that was reduced following discussions with utility companies.

The plans were today approved unanimously by Scarborough Council’s planning committee.

Whitby Cllr Glenn Goodberry welcomed the application.

He said: “Whatever the applicants have done on the site they have done very well and are very highly regarded.”

In the planning submission to the borough council, it stated that the business, which was transformed into the award-winning venue by the Morley family after the farm fell victim to the foot and mouth outbreak in the early 2000s, has become a “victim of its own success”.

The venue currently has nine rooms to let, which are often booked in advance and it is hoped the lodges will allow greater flexibility to allow wedding guests to stay at Cross Butts.

The submission added that there would be benefits to the local community and would lead to approximately 14 full-time jobs being created.