UK hotel targets Passivhaus first!

The UK’s first Passivhaus hotel proposed for the beloved seaside holiday destination Whitby, on the North Yorkshire coast... has just won planning permission.

Cliffemount Hotel at Runswick Bay may be the perfect Passivhaus Holiday destination. The new 1,795 m² 3-storey project will welcome guests to 20 luxury hotel rooms, a restaurant and pub. The new hotel, aiming for Passivhaus certification, will be an exceptional-standard hotel which reflects the local history and character in Runswick Bay & North York Moors National Park. The development aims to be a beacon for sustainable development, supporting the local community economically through jobs and investment, while simultaneously creating a social space to visit and meet.

Key stats

Expected build start date: 2024
Expected completion: 2025
TFA: 1250 m²
No. rooms: 20
Planning Authority: North York Moors National Park Authority
Planning submitted: August 2023
Certification: Aiming for Passivhaus

The Passivhaus standard has been chosen to buffer against increasing hospitality closures due to rising and unsustainable fuel costs. Cliffemount hotel hopes to offer local people career opportunities. It has been estimated that construction of the hotel would create about 88 direct and 133 indirect jobs. Once operational, it is expected that the business would provide 30 jobs, comprising 15 full-time and 15 part-time roles. The development aims to showcase the benefits of Passivhaus to residents and tradespeople alike. Cliffemount Hotel strives to join the growing list of Passivhaus places to stay in the UK.

We want to limit the impact the development has on the environment and the local community which is one of main reasons we chose to aim for Passivhaus status.

Architects View

Daniel Postill, Associate Architect & Certified Passive House Designer at Bowman Riley says the main challenges of the project will be:

The logistics & access, given that its a cliff top location.
Ensuring the design integrates the historic architecture & atmosphere of Runswick Bay while still meeting Passivhaus.