A LONG-running planning dispute has one final hurdle to clear after planners passed the latest scheme to alter a hotel and restaurant.

The fresh alterations at Casa Hotel and Restaurant in Brighouse will create a downsized scheme after a large extension was built without the correct permission.

But after yesterday’s decision by Calderdale Council’s planning committee, the owners must wait for the final clearance by the secretary of state due to the site being in the green belt.

It is nine years since plans were first submitted for an extension on the site, but the start of the controversy was when a larger-than-approved extension was built, prompting enforcement action and revised plans to be submitted.

Chairman of the planning committee, Councillor David Kirton, warned against others taking this uncertain and expensive route.

“The whole affair has gone on for an awfully long-time. It’s rumbled on since 2008,” he told the Telegraph & Argus. “I hope that this sends a message to other businesses that they should get the right permission in the first place.

“It has cost Casa a lot of money and grief to get to this stage.”

But he added that the current plans would sit well within the green belt and would boost the local economy as there was a need for high-end accommodation.

He added that it could take a couple of months for the final sign off by the secretary of state.

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

Further alterations at the Elland Road business were submitted shortly afterwards.

Both proposals involved demolishing part of the original building and changing the colour of the whole building, from white to earthy tones.

An outside terrace area to the east has also been removed from the plans.

Planning agent for the scheme Marilyn Brichard states 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.

A number of local businesses have also backed the changes.

Of the decision, Sam Holmes, Casa’s group manager said: "For years Calderdale has been losing business to Leeds because it doesn't have the kind of good quality accommodation needed to ensure visitors opt to stay in the area.

"This positive planning decision means that the picture can finally change - with the new, extended Casa not only creating over 100 local jobs, but delivering the kind of fine dining and first class hotel accommodation that has been sorely lacking in Brighouse for so long."

Casa originally lost a planning appeal in 2015 over the large extension it had built without the correct planning permission.

Bosses were initially told they had nine months to demolish the three-storey addition.

But a subsequent High Court appeal last year quashed that decision.

A date has been set for January next year for a fresh ruling to be made, but given the latest planning decision, this reconvened public inquiry may not be necessary.