Decision deferred on £20m fishing pier upgrade

A decision on plans to redevelop Scarborough's West Pier has been deferred by senior planners at North Yorkshire Council.

The £20.2m scheme would restore existing heritage facilities at the harbour, create new kiosks and add new parking facilities and public toilets.

Although planners said the project would respect and celebrate the town's fishing heritage, campaigners believed working fishermen were not being protected.

Cheryl Mann, of residents' group United Scarborough, said: "This is going to kill our fishing heritage, this is all about tourism."

Protesters who gathered outside the town hall instead called for a boat hoist to attract partnership from Dogger Bank Wind Farm, whose ships could be serviced in the harbour at Scarborough.

"We don't want to rely on tourism that is only visible for six months of the year," Ms Mann said.

"We can fix the boats, we can have a stopover for the workmen, it's a year-round industry. We could invest so much in the town."

Scarborough Town Board chairman David Kerfoot has supported the plans, which would be funded by a grant from the government's Towns Fund.

He said: "Many of the buildings on the West Pier are in desperate need of renovation, and these proposals would dramatically improve the facilities for the local fishing industry, staff and visitors to the pier.

"It is also imperative that we continue to drive growth in the town, and the plans would make West Pier a must-visit destination for hospitality, leisure and events which we hope will encourage further investment to boost the local economy."

However, councillors unanimously voted to defer the decision, instead asking for more information.

As they have several times before, protesters turned out in good numbers outside Scarborough Town Hall, carrying placards and posters.

But unlike before, they were quiet – subdued even. Not a chant in earshot.

"It's been decided before this meeting even starts," said sixth-generation fisherman Paul Fishburn.

But, once the debate began inside the historic chamber, it became clear members of North Yorkshire Council's strategic planning committee - which looks at the big applications - were far from convinced on parts of the £20m plan.

Some said they wanted to hear more about its economic benefits, including the difference adding a boat hoist, so vessels could service off-shore wind farms, would make.

There were other concerns too, about surface water disposal - currently due to go into the combined sewer system - and on energy use.

One by one, the councillors spoke up about their concerns until, unanimously, they voted to defer the decision and asked officers to come back with more details.

So this saga of the sea, now into years, not months, will continue.

"We live to fight another day," smiled Cheryl Mann, from residents' group United Scarborough.

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