PLANNERS are recommending the latest scheme to alter a hotel and restaurant be approved when the scheme goes before a committee next week.

If planning committee members agree, the fresh alterations at Casa Hotel and Restaurant in Brighouse to create a downsized scheme will be given the go ahead.

It will also bring to an end a long-running planning dispute over a large extension built without the correct planning permission.

In May a revised scheme was rejected by planning committee members, despite officers recommendations.

Further alterations at the Elland Road business were submitted shortly afterwards in a further bid to reach an agreement over the planning row.

In addition to the earlier proposals to demolish part of the original building and change the colour of the remainder, the new application provides details of a fresh business case to provide high-end quality accommodation.

A report to Calderdale Council’s planning committee, states: “Overall the development is considered to cause substantial harm to the Green Belt, by virtue of both inappropriateness and other harm including openness. “In order for this application to be permitted this harm must be clearly outweighed by other considerations.

“The last application was refused on Green Belt grounds and the planning committee did not consider that there were any very special circumstances which would justify an approval.

“Further information has now been provided regarding the economic benefits of the scheme, over and above the 2009 permission.”

Owners believe a major gap exists in the provision of high-end accommodation in the area that can be provided by Casa. Six local businesses have backed Casa’s business case, welcoming the introduction of such accommodation to the area.

But planners state that as there are only 16 rooms in the revamped plans, only “modest weight” should be given.

Despite this they are recommending the matter be approved at the meeting on Tuesday, September 5.

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. A fresh ruling is set to be made following a reconvened public inquiry, now scheduled for January 23 and 24 next year.