Whitby hotel painted pink without permission over paperwork ‘mix-up’

​LTK Whitby Ltd is seeking authorisation for works it undertook to repaint part of the Royal Hotel following an apparent mix-up regarding the correct authorisation.

​The main façade of Caedmon House, which forms part of the East Terrace of The Royal Hotel, was painted pink after the applicant says it initially agreed with North Yorkshire Council that a listed building enforcement notice would be sufficient.

​However, the case officer has “since confirmed that an enforcement notice cannot approve a different colour scheme and can only request that the building be re-painted back to its original colour,” according to a submitted plan.

​The applicant said that “rather than proceed on this basis, an alternative approach has been agreed, and this involves preparing and submitting a listed building consent application to re-paint the main elevations of the Hotel building, including the main façade of Caedmon House”.

​Caedmon House is physically connected and functions as part of The Royal Hotel, but forms part of another Grade II Listing relating to three other properties: Kirby’s Hotel and Numbers 5 and 6 East Parade.

​The “landmark hotel” is situated on the West Cliff of Whitby and was built in the early 19th century. The rendered three storey building has a mansard roof, together with an undercroft basement.

​Plans submitted to the council state that the proposal would “not result in a harmful change to the experience of the historic or architectural setting of the building and there will be no harm to its significance having regard to an assessment of the group of listed buildings associated with the site”.

​The scheme adds that the “modest” works will preserve the character and appearance of the conservation area.

​The proposal is currently open to representations from members of the public. North Yorkshire Council has not set a date for deciding on the scheme.