Ambitious strategy to rejuvenate North Yorkshire harbours

​The 10-year strategy will capitalise on both new and traditional industries at ​Scarborough Harbour, Whitby Harbour, and Filey’s Coble Landing as part of a wider masterplan developed by North Yorkshire Council.

​On Tuesday, June 16, council bosses approved the plan to promote safe, sustainable and economically viable harbours while noting the challenges faced by coastal infrastructure across the county.

​Cllr Heather Phillips, executive member for corporate services, welcomed the “depth and detail” of the authority’s public consultation on the strategy.

​She told the meeting in Scarborough: “I’m glad we have a plan to make the harbours better because they are one of the great tourist magnets of the area, as well as being vital for business.”

​Cllr Liz Colling, chair of the Scarborough and Whitby Area Committee, said: “This consultation has been live since January and there isn’t anyone who hasn’t had a chance to comment or who doesn’t know about it. I’d like to thank everyone who responded.

​“We are very excited for the next stage, and we look forward to working with everyone who has an interest in the harbours.”

​Among the opportunities highlighted in the harbour strategy is the opportunity to build on the offshore wind industry.

​The Government has said that the UK is the second largest offshore wind market in the world. Major wind farms are located off the Yorkshire coast, including at Dogger Bank, and the county’s coastal towns have the potential to help support the industry.

​Challenges faced by the harbours include ageing infrastructure, a decline of the fishing industry, climate change, and funding gaps, while opportunities include the offshore wind supply chain, tourism, maritime training, and improved harbour facilities.

​Cllr Janet Jefferson, who represents the Castle division, said: “I do welcome this strategy, which recognises the underinvestment in our harbours over the years.

​“It acknowledges that we need to improve governance and work with harbour users.”

​Cllr Jefferson also highlighted the importance of encouraging cooperation with offshore renewable industries, including offshore windfarms.

​She added: “There are concerns about the boat hoist in the harbour and users need indication of timescales for it to be confirmed, and they want to know if feasibility studies have been completed.”

​​The purpose of the strategy is to provide a “working framework to ensure harbour users, local communities and key stakeholders know what they can expect regarding development of the harbours over the next 10 years, and to generate a partnership approach to the development of the harbour”.

​It recognises that whilst there are a number of ambitious redevelopment proposals, these will be subject to securing external grant aid or additional council funding and will be subject to the usual financial governance process at the appropriate time,” it states.

​​The harbours in Scarborough, Whitby, and Filey have faced a period of decline due to structural issues, a lack of investment and strategy, environmental challenges, and the decline of the fishing industry, the council said.

​The aim of the strategy is for harbours to be resilient to future challenges, open and welcoming by offering accessible and engaging spaces for users, residents, visitors and businesses.

​Whitby’s £11 million Maritime Hub is nearing completion and the council recently set out its updated proposals for the controversial £15m redevelopment of Scarborough’s West Pier.

​The council’s executive member for open to business, Cllr Mark Crane, said: “The proposed strategy will secure the future of our harbours through investment, innovation, and collaboration.

​“While celebrating their rich maritime heritage, we will ensure that our harbours remain cherished and dynamic destinations for generations to come.

“We have listened to responses to the public consultation and taken the draft plans to committees, sharing with ward members, town councils, and harbour user groups to gather a breadth of expertise.”

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