Thirsk farmhouse and barns could be turned into luxury boutique

A full planning and listed building consent application has been submitted to North Yorkshire Council for the redevelopment of Manor Farm, off Moor Lane, near Thirsk.

The scheme would see the farmhouse and agricultural buildings converted into a restaurant, with luxury guest accommodation including a swimming pool and spa.

A total of 15 guest bedrooms are proposed, as well as six boutique accommodation pods, an orchard and nuttery, a parking area and two extensions to outbuildings.

A masterplan of the proposal for Manor Farm, Thirsk.

Polytunnels, a water treatment plant and an area for solar panels are also planned.

The application has been filed by applicants Letty and William Hunter Bell to complement the existing Thirsk Lodge Barns business.

Supporting documents state: “Following the success of Thirsk Lodge Barns, where over 200 weddings and events are hosted per year, there is a need to enhance the offering, and provide additional accommodation which would look to cater for the wider wedding party.

“The proposals would also enable a standalone boutique hotel with garden and spa facilities for public use when not in private use for weddings.”

The nearby Thirsk Lodge Barns site was created after being given planning permission in 2019.

Agents for the applicants say the Manor Farm site would be redeveloped using the same ethos.

They add: “Manor Farm is a Grade II listed building, with substantial structural defects. The change of use will facilitate the repair and stabilising of this listed building for the future.

“The public benefits arising from the proposal clearly outweigh the specific and limited instances of harm identified to the listed building and its traditional farm buildings.”

Natural England said it had no objections to the scheme.

North Yorkshire Council’s ecology team said there were “quite complex” protected species issues on this site involving bats, badgers, nesting
birds and barn owls.

However, they said “clear and comprehensive” mitigation and compensation measures had been put forward.