A PLANNING application to transform Denton Hall into a hotel has attracted opposition from the villagers of Denton who fear an increase in traffic will see grass verges destroyed and the Conservation Area damaged.

Owners of the Grade I listed hall, Cal and Nick Bailey, of Denton Park Estate Holding Ltd, have submitted an application to Harrogate District Council to transform the former headquarters of NG Bailey into a hotel. The building has previously been used as offices and a wedding and events venue.

The application has received a number of objections. None object to the principle of turning Denton Hall into a hotel but rather the proposed access.

They say Church Lane - the access proposed - is too narrow, unlit and unrestricted. They say allowing guests to drive at 60mph down the lane and through the tradesmen’s entrance to the Hall will damage the village and pose a road safety hazard.

But there is a simple solution, say objectors: to use the original entrance to the Hall. Hidden 50 yards from West Lane out of Askwith lie Grade II listed lodges and gates, designed like the Hall by the renowned York architect, John Carr.

Commenting on the application architectural historian, David Neave, says: “Access from the east via the handsome gates and flanking octagonal lodges and through the parkland would provide a far more impressive route to Denton Hall than a narrow route along Church Lane and via the service entrance.

“This would both enhance the experience for hotel guests and benefit the lives of local residents and be excellent for, and clearly improve, public relations locally.”

A spokesperson for Denton Park Estate said: “There have been issues raised about traffic which we are carefully considering. Traffic has always moved to and from the Hall via Church Lane and the current planning consent allows for many more trips associated with the Hall being used as a training centre than would be expected from running a hotel.

“Opening the East entrance would potentially raise safety and heritage concerns. This route hasn’t been used in over 100 years and was designed for horse and carriage; it has never been used by a motor vehicle. Church Lane is an original route into the Hall and has always attracted a greater volume of traffic than the East entrance which was largely ceremonial.”

Nick Bailey added: "We have been discussing the details of the application with residents and we’re pleased there have been no objections raised so far about the plan for a hotel at the Hall itself or to the wider vision we have to capture carbon, increase biodiversity and produce natural food on the Estate.”