Go-ahead for use of former North Skelton Club building

A planning application for North Skelton Club, in Holmbeck Road, Skelton, proposed a new use for fitness classes and community groups, along with a multi-sensory room for children.

The plans said internal alterations and repairs only were to be carried out, with no external changes to the detached building.

Representations from neighbours claimed work had already started, prior to permission.

But a Redcar and Cleveland Council officer, in a report, said planning permission was not required for internal works – even if paving the way for the change of use – and “therefore there hasn’t been any planning enforcement action in relation to the site”.

Other comments complained of a “short time frame” from the closure of the club last year and said there had been no community consultation.

One said: “This is the last remaining pub in the village, loss of [the] facility would have a substantial impact on local social cohesion and community life.”

The council said the building was not registered as an asset of community value and as such there did not need to be a process of consultation beyond the public consultation period of the planning application. 

A previous supporting statement accompanying the plans said the change of use would bring a vacant, unused building back to use and offer services for the local community.

It confirmed there were no planned alterations to the external building, other than repairs to its fabric, it being described as being in a “poor state of repair”.

The council’s environmental protection team noted how a function room was planned to be used as a fitness studio suggesting this could be of concern, for example due to music accompanying exercise classes.

It was agreed that the submission of a noise management plan, to be required from the applicant detailing controls to be implemented, was  justified, necessary and reasonable due to the closeness of the building and neighbouring residential properties.

The report noted a first floor flat, associated with the former club, that represented a residential use and said it would be acceptable to continue to maintain this use.

The council also addressed access, stating there would be no changes to parking provision, available to the front and rear of the property. 

It concluded the change of use would not have a material impact on the local highway network.