Council bosses are set to consider finding an external partner to help bring forward regeneration proposals for several council-owned sites in Scarborough town centre.
The proposed masterplan would consider the future of several high-profile council-owned buildings and sites that require significant investment, including Scarborough Town Hall, where about 80 per cent of the available floor space is currently unused due to its deteriorating condition.
North Yorkshire Council said it wants a development partner to prepare a masterplan to help identify future uses for underutilised and vacant sites, assess regeneration opportunities, attract investment into some of the town centre’s much-loved buildings and bring forward deliverable proposals for key locations across the town centre.
The authority recently purchased Resolution House as a new out-of-town office in Scarborough for £3 million, as the first staff members moved into the building last month.
However, concerns have been raised by local councillors about the future of the Town Hall, which currently serves as a civic centre and hosts many public and council meetings, including those of Scarborough Town Council.
Resolution House. NYC
Town Mayor, Thomas Murray, said: “Scarborough’s historic Town Hall is not just another office block to be quietly written off from Northallerton.
“It has stood at the heart of Scarborough’s civic life for generations and remains the home of Scarborough Town Council, our council meetings, mayoralty and civic functions. It is an important part of our town’s heritage and civic identity, and I sincerely hope North Yorkshire Council will work constructively with the Town Council to secure its long-term future.”
North Yorkshire Council wants to appoint a development partner to prepare a masterplan that will identify future uses for “underutilised and vacant sites, assess regeneration opportunities, attract investment into some of its much-loved buildings and bring forward deliverable proposals for key locations”.
Scarborough is one of the council’s “highest development priority locations” and is also recognised as a key place for growth and investment by York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority.
Scarborough South Bay. Courtesy NYC
The proposed approach – set to be considered at a meeting on Tuesday, September 15 – would help the council take a coordinated view on a number of sites, identify funding opportunities and attract investment into regeneration projects.
North Yorkshire Council’s deputy leader, Cllr Mark Crane, whose responsibilities include regeneration and economic development, said: “We have a number of prominent sites that are currently underused or vacant.
“By undertaking market engagement to identify a potential development partner, we can take a coordinated approach to understanding how those sites can contribute to the town centre and bring forward practical regeneration proposals.
“This will help us assess future options for these sites, identify opportunities for investment, and ensure any proposals are deliverable.”
Following local government reorganisation in 2023, which saw the former county council and seven previous district and borough authorities merge, North Yorkshire Council inherited a large estate of buildings and land.
This included a number of sites in Scarborough facing significant challenges, alongside annual running costs of up to £1 million.
As some council staff begin to transition into Resolution House by the A64 – which was bought from Anglo American – the council will retain a town centre presence in Scarborough, including customer services and a base for those who need to work in and around the town centre. Council staff currently work at both the Town Hall and Castle House.
If the market engagement exercise is successful and the appointment of a development partner is approved, the masterplan would sit alongside a number of regeneration projects already underway in Scarborough, including the Station Gateway public realm scheme and plans to revitalise West Pier.
Together, they would support a coordinated approach to investment and development across the town.
North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for finance and property, Cllr Peter Wilkinson, said: “It’s important that we carefully consider how these sites can contribute to Scarborough’s future, identify regeneration opportunities and reduce the costs associated with buildings that are underused and require significant investment.
“This work will help us assess what options are available and consider proposals that are practical and financially viable.”
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