Whitby restaurant The Stables at Cross Butts is looking to expand, starting with holiday lodges - here's how many

A Whitby restaurant is looking to expand its offering by building 31 lodges on its grounds and in doing so is promising new jobs for the town.
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John and Sue Morley, who own and run The Stables at Cross Butts in Guisborough Road, have applied to Scarborough Council for permission for the change of use of land to the south of the property to place 25 holiday lodges and six holiday “shepherds’ huts” or “glamping pods” on it.

In what is described as the “first of a series of applications for a range of developments”, the application says it will allow the venue, once a working dairy farm, to offer a better service and choice to its customers.

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In a planning submission to the borough council, it states that the business, which was transformed into the award-winning venue by the Morleys after the farm fell victim to the foot and mouth outbreak in the early 2000s, has become a “victim of its own success”.

Design for holiday lodgeDesign for holiday lodge
Design for holiday lodge

It adds: “The most significant deficiencies in visitor space at present are, first, the shortage of letting rooms and, second, the lack of a function room which is proofed against the Whitby winter and is also large enough to cater for demand, particularly for weddings.”

The venue currently has nine rooms to let, which are often booked in advance and it is hoped the lodges will allow greater flexibility to allow wedding guests to stay at Cross Butts.

The submission adds that there would be benefits to the local community.

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“The development will lead directly to between 12 and 14 full-time jobs,” it states. “These may be completely new jobs but also provide opportunities for existing part-time staff to work full time if they so choose.”

The Stables at Cross ButtsThe Stables at Cross Butts
The Stables at Cross Butts

The application, which talks of “extending the tourist season” for the venue also hints at further developments, including the replacement of a marquee on the site which is used for weddings and other events.

It states: “The proposed remodelling and extensions to the existing building complex will also generate additional employment which is anticipated to be mainly outside the main holiday season.

“Whilst the additional letting rooms and more efficient use of space will accommodate an increase in walk-in day and overnight visitors, the main benefit of that development in terms of local employment will arise through the replacement of the marquee by a permanent function room, thus enabling large scale functions to take place through the winter whatever the weather.”

The lodges aspect of the plans is now out to consultation.