PLANS for the partial demolition of a landmark North Yorkshire hotel, which was destroyed by fire ten years ago this month, have been submitted to North Yorkshire Council.

The demolition work refers to what remains of the hotel building – including the first floor bridge, kitchen block, single storey lean-to, garage and metal staircase – at The Bridge House Hotel, Catterick Village, North Yorkshire.

The Bridge House Hotel in Catterick Bridge - opposite Catterick Racecourse - was empty when the blaze began shortly after 11pm on Wednesday, February 12, 2014, as it was undergoing renovation.

Read more: Demolition of Durham City footbridge poses safety fears

The building remained empty ever since, and several attempts to sell the building by auction failed to attract bidders.

The demolition works seeks to remove the worst-hit parts of the building to make way for restoration work on some of the most historic areas.

A planning statement supports an application for the demolition of parts of the building and separate structures to the rear of the listed building which predominantly date to the mid-20th century.

Elements of building are also of late 18th and 19th century date, but these elements have been considerably altered and are in very poor condition.

For more planning news direct to your inbox, subscribe to The Northern Echo 

The demolition will better reveal the rear elevations of the 18th and 19th century sections of the listed building and enable ease of access to the principal building to enable its repair and conservation in association with a later application for redevelopment, which is currently being prepared.

According to a planning statement: "Whilst the loss of some historic fabric results in an adverse effect, this is mitigated through the recording of the built fabric; enabling access to the building for restoration; and better revealing the historic north elevation of the principal building.

"Overall, this proposal results in an enhancement to significance of the overall site."

Read next:

The planning statement, prepared by CLB Heritage, accompanies the application for planning and listed building consent for the demolition of a single storey kitchen building and lean-to which is located to the rear of the existing grade II listed building.

The Bridge House Hotel was constructed in the 17th century as a coaching inn on the Great North Road and at a key crossing point of the River Swale.

The building is understood to have been used as a public house and hotel since the mid 1800s when it was known as the George and Dragon Inn. Before that it was used as a private house.