Apartment-style hotel on Harrogate's Great Yorkshire Showground set to be approved

Roomzzz Aparthotel, in conjunction with landowner the Yorkshire Agricultural Society, is seeking permission to erect a 98-room hotel on a 1.3 acre site, which currently serves as a car park.

The proposed building is L-shaped, incorporating 55,000 sq ft of space, with the shorter length set back around 30 metres from Wetherby Road, and the longer length facing the existing access road through the showground site.

Rooms are arranged over four floors, with a large reception and eating area on the ground floor.

The applicant expects the hotel will be used by those attending the showground for various events.

Unlike conventional hotels, there is no restaurant or bar area and other ancillary facilities are limited. Rooms will be used as a living and sleeping area, with a small kitchenette also included. Guests will have the use of small breakfast area and lounge on the ground floor.

The proposal, which will create 20 full-time jobs, has been recommended for conditional approval ahead of a Harrogate Borough Council planning meeting next Tuesday (March 1).

Planning officer Gerard Walsh said: “The proposed development will contribute to the economy of the district, without harming the vitality and viability of Harrogate town centre. It will not harm the character or spatial quality of the area, and will not have an unacceptable effect on residential amenity.”

Five objections have been submitted, with concerns including traffic congestion and the appearance of the building.