Plans have been submitted to the North York Moors National Park planning authority to develop Raithwaite Hall estate in Sandsend into a £30m major hotel and spa complex.

The estate in Sandsend Road, just a mile to the north of Whitby town centre, was bought recently for £4.7 million by developers the Skelwith Group, which aims to convert it into a 42 bedroom five-star hotel and spa.

The application for change of use, alterations and extensions to Raithwaite Hall and outbuildings to form the hotel is presently under consultation until 26 November in order to give all those who are interested in it the opportunity to make their views known.

At present their have been no objections.

The final decision will be made by the North York Moors National Park planning committee early next year.

Val Dilcock, chief planning officer for the national park said: "It's very early days yet to consider a decision about it.

"As this is such a major development, the Government gives us a longer period for consultation before it goes to our members for their decision and I have not yet made any recommendation about it."

Before the final decision is made by the planning committee members, Mrs Dilcock with her planning team will recommend to them whether they think it should be approved or rejected – but, as is usual for planning proposals, the members will not necessarily agree with the recommendation.

The proposal has been welcomed by the Yorkshire Tourist Board whose chief executive David Andrews said: "Whitby has a fantastic tourist offering so this development will only enhance the area and encourage visitors to spend more time and money in the town."

The development will be the area's first five star hotel and it is expected to create more than 100 jobs for local people at all levels.

It will include a conference and function area to seat up to 180 people, a fine dining restaurant and a luxury bar.

If it goes ahead, it will be run in conjunction with the Skelwith Group's £100m Flaxby Country Club between York and Harrogate.

Scarborough Council is one of the consultees and its recommendation will be among those taken into consideration by the national park when making its decision.

The hall is presently used for storage and office accommodation and in the grounds there are 10 holiday cottages.