Middleton Lodge hotel and wedding venue appeals restrictions

North Yorkshire Council granted planning permission in December last year for the relocation of a marquee and catering tent at the Middleton Lodge estate, near Middleton Tyas.

The marquee, which can accommodate events for up to 200 people, is on an existing gravelled area about 70 metres south of the Grade II*-listed Middleton Lodge.

However, Middleton Lodge Events Ltd has now appealed against seven conditions attached to the permission, including restrictions on music, fireworks and lighting.

One condition states there can be no live or amplified music or entertainment anywhere on the site after 11pm.

Another requires music to be played through a noise limiter approved by the council.

The appeal argues the 11pm restriction should be removed, claiming noise assessments demonstrate events could operate without an unacceptable impact on nearby homes.

Instead, the company proposes specific noise limits at Little Kneeton, Mill Farm and Copperfield Farm, with different limits applying between 9am and 11pm and between 11pm and 2am.

It proposes that no events take place in the marquee between 2am and noon.

The appeal states that while noise complaints have previously been made about the venue, Middleton Lodge is not aware of any being substantiated following investigation or resulting in enforcement action.

It claims complaints have even been received for dates when no events were taking place.

The company says it has installed its own monitoring equipment to record noise during events.

Consultants acting for the venue argue a blanket 11pm restriction is unnecessary and disproportionate, particularly as modelling found noise at nearby homes would remain within acceptable limits.

The appeal also challenges a complete ban on outdoor fireworks and Chinese lanterns.

Instead, Middleton Lodge wants a condition preventing firework displays connected with the marquee between 10pm and 7am, except for exemptions contained within national fireworks regulations.

A lighting condition would also be amended so that it applied specifically to the approved marquees rather than potentially covering the wider estate.

Another disputed condition requires the tents to be removed and the site restored by January 10, 2026 — just weeks after permission was granted.

The appeal describes this as an administrative error and proposes allowing the marquee to remain until March 31, 2031, with the site restored by the following September.