Date set for decision on Casa Hotel and Restaurant extension row in Brighouse

A revised scheme for Casa Hotel and Restaurant in Brighouse was rejected by planning committee members in May, despite officers recommending the downsized scheme be approved.

Just over a month later further alterations at the Elland Road business were submitted to planners in a further bid to reach an agreement over the planning row.

Those changes, which still include proposals to demolish part of the original building and change the colour of the remaining building, are to be determined at a meeting on Tuesday, September 5.

Planning agent for the scheme, Marilyn Brichard states in fresh documents accompanying the scheme, that new research has been done and a “major gap” uncovered in the area for “high-end quality serviced accommodation” that Casa could fill if the changes were made.

“Since these proposals to alter the operational and functional areas of the premises have been put forward, it is self-evident that the premises will be able to function at a different level. “The new hotel accommodation will attract more visitors and its is anticipated that the business will be able to expand into different areas. “Recent inquiries have revealed that there is now an opportunity to add a significant amount of weekday business by offering a very high standard of hotel rooms to business users and to complement that by the addition of separate dining, conference and meeting facilities.”

A handful of corporate customers have written to Calderdale Council giving their support to the application, outlining the need for such quality accommodation in the area.

The company which runs Casa lost a planning appeal in 2015 over a large extension built without the correct planning permission.

Castelite Ltd was initially told it had nine months to demolish the three-storey addition.

But a subsequent High Court appeal last year quashed that decision and a fresh ruling is yet to be made.