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An historic town centre building that has stood empty for around 20 years could be turned into a luxury spa as part of a £3m redevelopment.
Developer Benira Ltd is seeking planning permission for the restoration and extension of the Grade II listed Friary Lodge in Victoria Road in Richmond.
The proposals would see the dilapidated Georgian building brought back into use, with modern extensions accommodating specialist spa facilities, including pools, treatment rooms and changing areas.
The developer, which is owned by local businessman Ben Wilkinson, says the scheme would involve around £3m of construction and restoration work, creating employment and providing a new attraction for residents and visitors.
Supporting documents submitted with the application say Friary Lodge, which stands alongside Richmond Cricket Ground and Friary Gardens, has deteriorated significantly during two decades of vacancy.
Friary Lodge as it looks now. (Image: Photo submitted with plans.)
According to the documents, parts of the building are unsafe, with water damage, rotten floor timbers, collapsed ceilings and evidence of vandalism and fires.
A structural assessment concluded that significant repairs were needed as soon as practicable to prevent further deterioration.
The applicant argues that transforming the building into a commercially viable spa would provide the investment needed to restore it and maintain it in the future.
In a statement accompanying the application, architects Matt Ball Architecture LLP said: “Leaving Friary Lodge as it is does not represent a sustainable conservation strategy.”
The report adds: “The proposal offers an alternative: managed change in return for long-term conservation.”
The scheme would involve restoring the historic building's roof, windows, masonry and original central entrance, alongside the construction of contemporary extensions.
The grounds would also be landscaped, with overgrown vegetation cleared, selected trees removed, new planting introduced and historic boundary walls repaired.
An artist's visualisation of how the redevelopment of Friary Lodge would look. (Image: Photo submitted with plans.)
However, the plans involve changes to a particularly sensitive historic setting, close to Greyfriars Tower and other surviving remains of Richmond's medieval friary.
A heritage assessment submitted with the application acknowledges that some alterations would cause harm to historic fabric, although the developer argues these impacts would be outweighed by the benefits of restoring the building.
The applicant says the development could create around ten permanent jobs, as well as seasonal employment, and attract additional visitors to Richmond.
An artist's visualisation of how the redevelopment of Friary Lodge would look. (Image: Photo submitted with plans.)
The planning documents also indicate that the spa would be available to local residents rather than exclusively to hotel guests.
Previous attempts to find a new use for Friary Lodge have been unsuccessful.
Planning permission was granted in 2016 to convert the building into five apartments, while earlier proposals included offices and residential accommodation.
None resulted in the building being brought back into lasting use.
The latest application argues that without substantial investment and a viable commercial purpose, Friary Lodge faces continuing deterioration.
The application has been submitted to North Yorkshire Council for consideration.