'Eyesore' former hotel to be redeveloped

A former hotel described as a long-standing "eyesore" can be redeveloped after plans were approved.

The former Normanby Hotel in Normanby is set to be transformed into a three-storey development with 13 flats, five shops, a restaurant and pub.

Redcar and Cleveland Council approved the scheme to extend the empty two-storey building, despite objections including from a neighbouring children's hospice.

Council planners felt, with no windows on the east side, it would be "acceptable and not appear overbearing to the staff and patients".

A 23-space car park would also be created at the development on Normanby Road, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

The height of the building would be extended by 5.6ft (1.7m) under the plan submitted by developer Peter Hall.

The nearby Zoe's Place Children's Hospice, which has a baby and children's play area, end-of-life counselling facility and family accommodation behind the premises, raised concerns about the effect on its operation and service.

The proposals drew 21 letters of objections raising concerns over insufficient parking and trade, the restaurant balcony overlooking houses and causing noise at night.

Other objections included there being no need for more shops, "horrendous" traffic congestion, road safety, blocked views, anti-social behaviour, rodents, loss of community spirit and spoiling the "village feel to have a foreboding three-storey building".

There was one letter of support.

Councillors voted unanimously to approve the plan with conditions including a limit on the first floor terrace opening until 21:00 BST.

The council's development services manager Claire Griffiths said the proposed building was "not considered to be of a scale detrimental to the area".

Ms Griffiths said: "Given that it's a town centre location, in our opinion in planning terms it's a sustainable location with access to a number of public facilities."

Councillor Robert Clark, vice chair of the committee and member for Teesville, said: "It is in my ward. I've got no objections against it. It's been an eyesore in Normanby for a number of years now."

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