Five bedroom hotel could take over old Saltburn book shop

The plans for the property in Amber Street, once occupied by the Saltburn Bookshop until its closure, were approved by members of Redcar and Cleveland Council’s regulatory committee in line with a recommendation they received.

They envisage five bedrooms being created with en-suite facilities – two on the first floor, where a staff room and office space will also be added, and three on the second floor.

Saltburn Books on Amber Street (Image: LDR)

The approved change of use would also see a restaurant and bar created on the ground floor, which will be extended, while a covered glass awning will be added to the rear of the building potentially for the use of customers.

A report for councillors said Amber Street – one of the so-called ‘jewel’ streets that lead off Marine Parade – had a mixture of commercial, but largely residential uses consisting of terraced properties.

Nine letters objecting to the plans were sent to the local planning authority which commented on a lack of parking provision, increased noise and the loss of residential accommodation above the former book store.

Saltburn, Marske and New Marske Parish Council also raised a similar concern about noise,  along with kitchen smells.

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The borough council’s development engineers pointed out that parking was at a “premium” in the area, but otherwise they had no objections.

Meanwhile, its environmental protection unit said a detailed acoustic report needed to be prepared and approved detailing existing noise at the site being developed.

It also suggested a noise insulation scheme may be required to protect nearby householders.

Similar potential mitigation measures in terms of smells were also suggested in the form of an odour management plan, should it be required.

The council’s conservation officer said clarification had been received that there was no proposal to replace the current historic windows on the building.

He said the plans were considered to preserve what is a conservation area, adding: “Seeing this commercial building return to use is welcome, it being anticipated that the historic solid wood shopfront will see some much needed maintenance.” 

Addressing the impact on neighbour amenity, the report referred to conditions that could be put in place in order to control the development and agreed prior to the start of any work.

It said: “The proposal would be subject to licensing control should alcohol be served and also for the playing of live or recorded music and as such protections outside of the planning system would be in place. 

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“It is therefore considered that subject to appropriate wording of the conditions requested that the proposal would not have a significant effect upon the amenity of the neighbouring properties above that which already occurs to this edge of centre location.”

The report by a planning officer acknowledged that no off street parking was being added, but the site was readily accessible by public transport.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service contacted the planning agent – Marske-based Pyramid Architectural Designs – with a view to obtaining further information from the applicant, but no response was received.