History of 'cultural icon' motel planned

The motel appeared in author David Peace's Red Riding Quartet series of novels

The history of a popular motel and cafe described as "a cultural icon" could be documented in a book if plans to demolish the building go ahead.

The Redbeck Motel in Crofton, near Wakefield, was visited by celebrities including Tom Jones, Shirley Bassey and Diana Ross in the 1970s and 1980s, a planning application said.

Developer Yorkshire Choice Homes, which submitted proposals to build 90 houses on the site, said it wanted to create a social history of the venue and suggested new streets would be named after it.

More than 180 letters of objection to the scheme have been lodged with Wakefield Council.

Renowned for serving its breakfast special, the Redbeck was established in 1969 and is open 24 hours a day.

It has featured in television soap Emmerdale and other dramas.

The venue also appeared in author David Peace's Red Riding Quartet series of novels.

Wakefield Civic Society said the site had "literary significance and this is likely to increase in the future" as a result of its reference in the four books, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The Redbeck Motel was established in 1969 but has become unviable, according to a planning application

A planning application stated the business had become "unviable" and developers had now unveiled proposals to mark the heritage of the site.

A "fuller social history" of the venue should be produced and this could include the memories of visitors, staff and the community, according to Yorkshire Choice Homes.

“This could be collated through written accounts from the current owner and long-standing staff members and by inviting written comments from visitors," according to a statement from the developer.

“A dedicated website or social media platform could also be advertised and maintained for a set period to invite written or visual/photographic contributions.”

More than 180 letters objecting to plans to demolish the motel and cafe have been sent to Wakefield Council

However the plans have been met with some opposition.

In a letter of objection to the council one resident said: "The Redbeck Motel is a cultural Wakefield icon. A meet-up place for decades, how mindless to not see its community value."

Another said: “The Redbeck is a historical part of our heritage. It’s been there for years and is dearly loved by the people of Wakefield.”

The planning application was submitted in January and the council has not yet announced a date for a decision to be made on the scheme.

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