Pioneering ‘Passivhaus’ hotel project begins on North Yorkshire cliffs promising sustainable luxury

Yorkshire is set to welcome the UK’s first ‘Passivhaus’ hotel as construction gets underway on the innovative Cliffemount project in Runswick Bay.

The multi-million pound development will feature 20 sea-view rooms perched on the cliffs, complemented by a separate pub and restaurant on site. The new hotel will be taking the place of the old Cliffemount Hotel, which was demolished back in October 2024.

Tourists and locals can look forward to the grand opening of Cliffemount in the Summer of 2027, with construction anticipated to span approximately two years, marking the introduction of ‘Passivhaus’ standards in British hospitality.

By adhering to ‘Passivhaus’ guidelines, the hotel is expected to meet demanding building and design specifications, posing a challenging but inventive construction endeavour. It will also stand out as the sole hotel earning individual accreditations for its dining and drinking establishments, reports Yorkshire Live.

Melissa Tomlinson, the managing director at Cliffemount, shared her enthusiasm: "In 2022, our family purchased the former Cliffemount Hotel with a very clear vision of building a sustainable hotel that would have a positive impact industry wide. A lot of work has gone into making it achievable, but with the building work now beginning, that vision is finally starting to become a reality."

Expressing gratitude for local backing, she added: "We are so grateful that we have had support from local residents. The positivity around the project is so refreshing and encouraging, and it reinforces that what we are doing is right for the community."

The construction project on Cliffemount is squarely in the hands of Silverstone Building Consultancy as building surveyors and project managers, while Stainforth Construction takes the helm for the actual build. They’re currently in the thick of groundwork to set the stage for upcoming phases.

Site manager at Stainforth Construction, Mark Turner spoke about their progress: "We are pleased to be proceeding with building work on site at Cliffemount. As with all construction projects of this scale, there is a significant amount of groundwork that needs to be done prior to any physical structures being put in place."

Elaborating on the preliminary steps, Turner stated, "In the first instance, we will be focusing on regrading, cutting and filling the ground to the required site levels. Piling preparations and works will then begin, followed by work on the substructures, foundations and below ground drainage."

He added, acknowledging potential local impact, "As expected with projects of this scale, there will be some disruption to local residents, particularly from a noise and traffic perspective. For this, we apologise."

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