Scarborough seeks development partner for town centre
North Yorkshire Council is looking to appoint an external partner to identify future uses for vacant and underutilised council-owned sites, assess development opportunities, and attract investment into key buildings and locations.
The proposals will be considered by the council’s executive next week on 15 September.
The masterplan would take a coordinated look at a number of council-owned assets and identify deliverable regeneration schemes, as well as potential funding opportunities and investment partners.
Scarborough has been identified by the council as one of its highest development priorities and is also recognised as a key location for growth and investment by the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority.
The council inherited a large portfolio of buildings and land following local government reorganisation in 2023, including a number of assets in Scarborough requiring significant investment.
It said some of the sites present “significant challenges”, with the estate carrying annual running costs of up to £1m.
One of the key assets that could be considered through the masterplan is Scarborough Town Hall, where around 80% of available floor space is currently unused because of the building’s deteriorating condition.
The council said the future of a number of other buildings and sites requiring significant investment would also be assessed.
The move comes alongside plans to relocate some council staff from the town centre to Resolution House, which the council approved for acquisition in March.
While some staff will move to the modern office accommodation, the council said it would retain a town centre presence, including customer services and a base for staff who need to work in and around Scarborough. Council staff are currently based at both the Town Hall and Castle House.
If the proposed market engagement exercise is successful and councillors approve the appointment of a development partner, the resulting masterplan would sit alongside regeneration projects already under way in Scarborough.
These include the Station Gateway public realm scheme and plans to revitalise West Pier.
The council said bringing the schemes together through a coordinated approach would help attract investment and support the delivery of regeneration across the town centre.
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.”
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.”
