Planners approve extension and sun terrace

One of Otley’s oldest pubs is to reopen with a 70-table restaurant attached.

Local businessman Chris Payne is celebrating gaining permission to add an L-shaped rear extension, with sun terrace, to The Spite Inn, at Newall with Clifton.

That means work can finally start on getting the pub, which lies on the outskirts of Otley and has been closed since last August, trading again.

Mr Payne, who owns Korks Wine Bar, had identified that extending The Spite’s dining facilities was essential to its profitably – but faced opposition from Harrogate Borough Council’s planning department.

Support from the parish council, residents and Otley Pub Club’s honorary president, MP Greg Mulholland (Lib Dem, Leeds North West), however, eventually saw the scheme approved.

Mr Payne said: “It is fantastic that one of Otley’s oldest and best-loved pubs will now be reopening after sitting shut for a number of months. I am delighted Harrogate has come to a sensible decision and granted permission for an extension.

“Given the wealth of support the plans received, it would have been wrong to deny the local community the use of this fantastic pub.

“This decision is in part due to the significant efforts of Mr Mulholland and the parish council, who both gave important support to the application, which in the end turned out to be vital contributions to this positive decision.”

As well as a new single storey rear extension, The Spite will have 21 extra car parking spaces.

Mr Mulholland said: “I am absolutely delighted that, having lent my full support, this famous pub will once again open its doors to the community. It is especially pleasing that the council saw the huge benefits of granting permission for the extension.

“The Spite has had a torrid time over the past few years. As a result it has been empty for some time now. I hope that Mr Payne will breathe new life into this fantastic country pub.””

In their report planning officers noted that there was evidence the inn, as it was, could “not offer a viable food service”. They also listed the benefits that could come from the extended business’s re-opening: “Local construction firms would benefit. Full and part time jobs will be created. There will be a benefit to local people and tourism. A use will be made of an existing asset, and the parish council welcomes the move.”