Plan to attract more tourists to stay in town
And now they are hoping to turn part of their property into a business venture that they believe could boost the local economy and help the area to become a tourist destination.
They have drawn up plans to turn disused barns at the Park Grange Farm family home in Pontefract into 13 holiday lets, with ensuite bathrooms and kitchenettes.
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Hide AdIt is hoped the accommodation will be used to support events at the neighbouring Pontefract and District Golf Club as well as providing a place for visitors to the racecourse, castle and Xscape leisure complex to stay.
Planning documents state: “The golf course and race course are frequently visited venues. With accommodation being sparse in the area, this would give visitors a chance to stay in a well presented local farm, which is idyllic and picturesque.”
The proposal states that the scheme, estimated to cost around £500,000, would be carried out in partnership with Pontefract Golf Club.
It says the accommodation “can only help boost the local economy by bringing further tourists to the local area”.
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Hide AdPlanning agent Simon Clarke said the 200-year-old barn buildings are currently in a bad state of repair. But the farm owners want to bring them back to use, retaining their character and providing a holiday farmhouse experience for golfers, ramblers and tourists.
Mr Clarke said: “The farm benefits from being located neighbouring Pontefract Golf Course and less than 3km from Pontefract town centre.
“Pontefract has a lot to offer, a quaint town with horse racing, a castle, museum, numerous golf courses, scenic walks or cycling via the Trans Pennine Trail plus the Xscape facility.
“Unfortunately, there is little offered in the way of accommodation.”