Plan to convert Victorian building from hotel to homes is approved

The Five Rise Hotel in Bingley dates back to the 1890s, when it was built as a large home known as Hall Bank. But for the past 45 years it has been a hotel and restaurant for visitors to the Aire Valley. Last year a planning application to convert the nine-bedroom hotel on Beck Lane into two homes was submitted to Bradford Council by Sally Morton.

The application said the business has been on the market for seven years, “but a new hotelier has not been forthcoming and uncertainty over the building’s future has been a major concern for many nearby residents.”

The hotel is not currently operating. The plans have now been approved by Bradford Council.

The “major concern” referred to in the application relates to a recent application to turn the building into supported living for young people – a plan that led to a huge number of objections from Bingley residents, and was withdrawn early last year. Approving the new scheme, planning officers pointed out that the building was originally a home.

They said: “As the site is not within the town centre, it is not in a particularly sustainable or accessible location for continued hotel use. The location of the site is remote from the town centre, railway station and through routes – which will possibly militate against hotel or similar uses being viable in the future.

“The submission claims the hotel is outdated and struggling. In modern times, the location is such that a hotel is not a viable use and alternative uses would not be compatible with its quiet residential surroundings. Neighbour opposition to alternative uses was demonstrated by the last application.

“Generally reversion to the original residential use would be compatible with the character of the surrounding area. Two dwellings would generate substantially less noise and traffic movements than a small hotel and associated restaurant – creating gains, in particular, for safer and easier pedestrian movements along Beck Lane. A residential use would restore the original use of this building and secure new investment in its upkeep.

“It will be a less intensive use than the former hotel and its restaurant. Traffic activity will be much reduced.”

Planning documents say a future application will be submitted for the landscaping of the hotel car park.