Hotel submits plans to convert old garage (From The Northern Echo)

Hotel submits plans to convert old garage

11:57am Friday 3rd February 2012 in Barnard Castle News

A TEESDALE hotel hopes to convert a former garage on the premises into a day spa, complete with a walled garden and hydro-pool.

The Morritt Arms Hotel, in Greta Bridge, near Barnard Castle, has submitted plans to Durham County Council to transform the building, including the construction of a first floor internally, and converting a staff accommodation block into four guest bedrooms.

The document also proposes to redesign the visitor and staff car park.

The grade II-listed hotel is located within the Greta Bridge conservation area and the complex is built upon the site of a former Roman Fort and section of Roman road.

A heritage report included in the proposals, from the Lartington-based Archaeo-Environment Ltd, said the plans would preserve the historic associations of the building, which was used as a garage in the Twenties.

The document stated: "The garage itself is of historic significance because of its associations with the transition from the days of horse drawn coach travel and the height of the traditional coaching inn, to the days of motorised travel.

"However it is in itself of little architectural significance.

"The coach house, which is to be converted into duplex suites and bedrooms. is now much altered and so its main significance is in the five blocked arches on its south elevation.

"These arches will be retained. The removal of the modern plastic windows within the blocked arches are to be replaced with doors or windows in painted timber which will increase the building’s architectural significance while retaining its historic and archaeological significance.

"The removal of the timber faced first floor external fire escape in the corner of the coach house range and the replacement of other plastic windows with painted timber ones will enhance the appearance of the courtyard as a whole."

The report described archaeological implications as inevitable, but said the plans had been designed to minimise the issue.

Any objections, comments or representations about the plans should be submitted to Durham County Council by Wednesday, February 22.

Email planningbarnardcastle@durham.gov.uk or send letters to the Barnard Castle Area Office, Teesdale House, Galgate, Barnard Castle, DL12 8EL.

To view the full application, visit teesdale.planning-register.co.uk.