COUNCILLORS are today likely to approve plans for a major expansion at a North Yorkshire hotel.

Owners of The Talbot in Malton want to extend the hotel into a neighbouring historic building, creating new bedrooms and event spaces in York House.

The Fitzwilliam Estate revealed its plans for a new wedding venue in Malton in March this year.

At the time, estate manager Roddy Bushell said finding a viable use for the Grade II* listed former townhouse, as it is a “high status” building but too small for many uses.

Connecting it to the neighbouring Talbot Hotel solves that problem, and gives the opportunity for the interiors to be opened up to the public, he added.

The plans involve an extension linking the two buildings on Yorkersgate, with a basement level events hall and a ground floor dining room. The owners also want to improve the gardens to the south of York House and install a temporary events tent and toilet block, and convert much of the old townhouse into hotel bedrooms.

Ryedale District Council’s planning committee is due to meet to decide on the applications today, and in a written report planners at the council have recommended they get the go-ahead.

The report says Yorkersgate is a becoming a more popular part of Malton since a major refurbishment at the hotel, with new businesses popping up close by.

The new events centre will help that, it adds, and will bring more jobs and prosperity to the market town.

The report says: “ It is considered therefore that the principle of the use of York House as a venue for events to include weddings, corporate lunches and private lunches, will add to the vitality of this part of the town, and also be of benefit to the local economy. This is as a result of the additional staff employed, and the additional spending in the area.”

On top of that, the plans would bring the historic house back into use after around 20 years of standing completely or partially empty.

The reports also say the alterations to York House and The Talbot are “’a light touch” and Historic England, who originally objected to the plans, said revisions made by the estate meant the proposals would pose “less than substantial harm” to the buildings.