Land at Scarborough's West Pier is to be re-appropriated so that it can be used for non-harbour purposes.
North Yorkshire Council's Executive has backed the proposal to re-designate a 278 square meter parcel of land from harbour use to general purpose use.
Councillor Mark Crane says it will enable the West Pier redevelopment plans to move forwards smoothly.
The council says that the majority of buildings on the West Pier are in a "dilapidated" state, including the fishing facilities for maritime industries, which it says need improvement both to support the existing operation of the Harbour as a fisheries harbour and to promote growth within that sector.
In addition to these improvements, the development seeks to situate new and improved cultural facilities on the Harbour site to raise awareness about the fishing industry at the Harbour, and to develop the market for local catch. In particular, an intended outcome of the scheme is the creation of a ‘circular economy’ which provides for a higher proportion of the catch from fisheries use of the Harbour to be sold by retail units on site and consumed locally.
The reallocation of the land clears the way for the buildings to be used for retail or other purposes.
Councillor Mark Crane feels that proposed changes to the Pier will be welcomed by local people.
The scheme is described as
"a mixed development and will include ‘a range of fishing facilities, hospitality, offices and a reimagined public realm’ to support locals and visitors to ‘work, explore, dwell, be entertained and dine.’"
Primarily the scheme will involve a simple reconfiguration of existing uses at West Pier with the exception of the development of a new restaurant unit which amounts to an increase of approximately 278 sqm of hospitality space.
The planning application for the West Pier is expected before Planning Committee in August 2024.
There has been criticism from harbour users that the plans don't include enough facilities for the maritime industry, notably the plans do not include a boat hoist.
But Councillor Crane says the plans could be adapted to accommodate a hoist if the funding becomes available.
Under rules set out in the Scarborough Corporation Act the council can reappropriate the land for other uses but needs to consult with the Department for Transport.
The Executive committee yesterday gave it's backing to the planned change of use subject to the consultation with the DfT.
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