Residents and community leaders in Eastfield, Scarborough, are standing at a critical crossroads following a council decision regarding a £3.2 million regeneration fund.
The money, which represents unallocated capital receipts from the 2015 sale of land at Middle Deepdale to Keepmoat Homes, is intended to provide a lasting legacy for the area,. However, North Yorkshire Council has now issued a 15-month deadline for local groups to agree upon a unified, coordinated investment plan, warning that the funds could be reallocated if no proposal is submitted by March 2027,.
At the forefront of the debate is the Phoenix Park project, also known as the Eastfield Community Park. Proposed for the former Overdale School site, the development is currently costed at £2.4 million and features a skate park, pump track, and community building alongside natural play areas and community gardens,. Jim Bullock, a representative of the Phoenix Park project, has called for the scheme to be designated a priority to allow work to begin immediately.
Jim Bullock stated:
"Phoenix Park enjoys strong and broad community support. Local schools, police, and voluntary organizations have all endorsed the scheme, recognizing its potential to reduce antisocial behaviour and provide a shared space for engagement and recreation.
Given the project's readiness and strategic importance, we respectfully request that it be designated a priority element within the Eastfield regeneration program.
The Recent decision to abolish the nursery building planned to be a cafe community. rooms has increased the capital cost slightly. This would still leave significant funds available from projects within the town.
We therefore urge the council to approve the necessary funding to enable it to begin without delay."
While the Phoenix Park project is the most advanced proposal, North Yorkshire Council is urging a broader community-led approach,. Councillor Heather Philips emphasised the importance of ensuring the funding is distributed equitably across different age groups and locations within Eastfield,.
Councillor Heather Philips said:
"I think Eastfield has fantastic open spaces and that we should be using the funding that we will be able to allocate there to make the best use of all of those public spaces.
I know there are maybe other areas where a skate park might be more appropriate because I believe there has been some local concerns regarding the proximity to housing.
So I think we need to work together with our elected member Councillor Seston and our town council to make sure that the funds are allocated equitably across all ages in Eastfield."
Beyond Phoenix Park, other projects seeking support include the expansion of the Westway Boxing Club, enhancements to The Dell green space, and upgrades to various local play areas,.
Despite the enthusiasm of local volunteers, practical challenges remain. Eastfield Councillor Tom Seston noted that while the community is full of passionate people, there is a shortage of technical experts like engineers and architects. He has requested that the council provide a dedicated project manager to oversee the delivery of these complex schemes. Furthermore, there are ongoing concerns regarding the long-term maintenance of any new facilities, as the funding is strictly for capital expenditure—physical assets—and cannot be used for staffing or repairs,.
As the clock ticks toward 2027, the focus remains on whether the various groups in Eastfield can form a cohesive partnership. The council’s localities and regeneration teams have pledged to provide support to help residents develop robust business cases that demonstrate the long-term sustainability of their projects.
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