Plans to create an 18-bed ‘boutique’ hotel in Harrogate have been approved.

Thirsk-based Comfy Nooks Ltd applied to North Yorkshire Council to convert the former Dragon Parade clinic, near Asda supermarket.

Until recently, the building was used to provide a supported living service for adults with autism or learning disabilities.

The hotel will not have a lounge or bar and will be run remotely by a 24/7 duty manager based in Stockton-on-Tees and Redcar who provides “guest support and emergency response”.

It will have seven parking spaces and rooms will be advertised on websites such as Booking.com.

North Yorkshire Council case officer Andy Hough said the semi-detached building’s appearance “would remain substantially unaltered”. The other half of the building was converted from a pub to seven flats.

'Greater need for homes'

During the public consultation, Harrogate Town Council objected on the grounds that the town had enough hotel rooms and there was a greater need for residential accommodation.

It pointed out the site already had planning permission to be converted to three residential units.

Two people also objected, saying the plans appeared to be more akin to self-contained accommodation than a hotel.

But Mr Hough overruled the objections in a decision published this week.

He said new government planning guidelines introduced this year, which support sustainable economic growth and recognise the importance of the visitor economy in contributing to local prosperity, weighed in favour of the scheme.

He added: