Crofton's 'landmark' Redbeck Motel to make way for 90 new homes

A popular motel and cafe described as "a cultural icon" could be demolished and replaced with houses, newly submitted plans have revealed.

Yorkshire Choice Homes wants to build 90 homes on the site of the Redbeck Motel, in Crofton, near Wakefield.

Renowned for its breakfast special, the Redbeck was established in 1969 and is open 24 hours a day.

Plans submitted to Wakefield Council say the business has become "unviable" and a developer has bought the site.

Yorkshire Choice Homes has submitted an application for outline permission to demolish the premises and build housing across a 3.5 hectare greenbelt site.

A planning statement submitted to the authority states: "The business is currently in operation.

"However, it has become unviable and despite sustained marketing there have been no viable offers to maintain the premises in its current use."

The document adds that the existing owners "were looking to exit the business and despite a sustained period of marketing, no viable offers were received".

Popular with locals as well as HGV drivers, the motel's website states: "Redbeck Motel has become a Yorkshire and national institution, you can travel the four corners of the country and someone is sure to know the Redbeck."

More than 60 objections have so far been received, with residents concerned about the loss of a local "institution".

One resident said: "The Redbeck Motel is a cultural Wakefield icon. A meet up place for decades, how mindless to not see its community value."

Another states: "The cafe/motel has a cultural history going back five decades, which if destroyed, will have a negative impact on the village and surrounding area," according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

A decision on the application has not yet been made and parish councillors have requested information on the likely impact on local facilities and services.

The developer said it welcomed feedback from residents now that the application had been formally submitted.

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