Landmark Decision Day as Council Decides Future of Whitby Cliff Lift and Scarborough Town Hall

The future of the Yorkshire Coast’s heritage and civic heart hangs in the balance as North Yorkshire Council’s executive meets on Tuesday to settle two of the region's most contentious property debates.

From the historic sands of Whitby to the prominent clifftops of Scarborough, officials are set to decide whether to decommission a century-old lift and if the seat of local government should move to a modern office block on the edge of town.

The Battle for Whitby’s Cliff Lift

In Whitby, the executive is being asked to approve the permanent decommissioning of the 95-year-old cliff lift, which has remained closed since corrosion was discovered in 2022. Council officers have recommended "Option 2," a £199,000 plan to seal the shaft while retaining the top building, arguing that the cost of full repairs—estimated at up to £5.5 million—is "disproportionate" in a "challenging financial environment".

The proposal has met fierce resistance from residents and local leaders who describe the lift as a "necessity" for accessibility rather than a luxury. A petition to save the landmark has gathered more than 5,600 signatures. Whitby Councillor Neil Swannick has challenged the council's financial data, labelling the multi-million-pound repair estimate a "fantasy figure" that was "plucked out of a hat".

The human impact of the closure is felt deeply by those with limited mobility. Local resident Bonita Nicholson questioned the fairness of the move, asking, "How is it right to deny many people with disabilities access to our beautiful Blue Flag beach?". While Chris Bourne, the council’s head of harbours and coastal infrastructure, maintains that ramps and slipways provide adequate access, Councillor Rich Maw argued that the authority "cannot row back on accessibility options".

The council is also expected to discontinue the free replacement bus service, which cost over £52,000 to run in 2025 but saw passenger numbers drop to a daily average of just ten people in September.

A New Chapter for Scarborough Town Hall

Meanwhile, in Scarborough, the council is considering a £4.5 million deal to purchase Resolution House, a modern office building on the A64. If approved, the move would see staff vacate the Grade II listed Scarborough Town Hall, a building where 80 per cent of the floor space is currently unused and where the building is in a deteriorating condition.

North Yorkshire Council reports that modernising the historic Town Hall could cost up to £19 million. Councillor Gareth Dadd, the authority’s deputy leader, stated that the current situation is "not sustainable" and that the move would save at least £400,000 in annual running costs.

However, the plan has sparked fears regarding the economic health of the town centre. Councillor Janet Jefferson, president of the Scarborough Chamber of Trade and Commerce, expressed concern over the impact on footfall, asking, "How can we expect other people to invest when we're moving out?". Scarborough Town Mayor, Councillor Thomas Murray, also criticised the lack of consultation, stating it was "frankly appalling" that he first heard of the plans on social media.

Despite these concerns, a council report suggests that releasing the Town Hall site could unlock "substantial economic benefit" by creating a prime development opportunity for a "quality commercial leisure development" overlooking the South Bay.

Wider Coastal Implications

The decisions made today will resonate across the wider region as the council looks to "rationalise and optimise" its property portfolio.

• In Scarborough, the move could also affect Pavilion House and the former Comet building, which are being considered for redevelopment.
• In Malton, the future of Ryedale House is under review, with potential plans to relocate services to a more central location to boost town centre footfall.

As the executive committee deliberates, the message from coastal campaigners remains one of preservation. Scarborough and Whitby MP Alison Hume has voiced her determination to fight for the region's heritage, stating, "I don't want anything else to be knocked down".

Related Stories

• 
  Scarborough Town Hall Could Be Sold To Major Leisure Developer

  11 Mar 2026 - 9 Mar 2026 - North Yorkshire Council is proposing to buy Resolution House, located on the A64 on the outskirts of the town, as it reviews its ...
• 
  Councillors Urge Caution Over Proposed £4.5m Resolution House Purchase In Scarborough

  11 Mar 2026 - A group of councillors has called for greater transparency and community consultation before North Yorkshire Council commits to purchasing ...
• 
  Concerns Raised Over North Yorkshire Council’s Plan To Move Out Of Scarborough Town Hall

  10 Mar 2026 - North Yorkshire Council is considering relocating from Scarborough Town Hall to Resolution House on the A64 to reduce maintenance costs, ...
• 
  Council Could Move From Scarborough Town Hall to Modern Office

  9 Mar 2026 - North Yorkshire Council is proposing to buy Resolution House, located on the A64 on the outskirts of the town, as it reviews its property ...
• 
  Whitby Cliff Lift Shaft Remains Stable Through Winter, But Council Faces Financial Dilemma

  13 Mar 2026 - A report from mining firm Anglo American says the Whitby Cliff Lift shaft was no wetter in January than in August, but is that enough to ...
• 
  MP Joins Calls to Save Historic Whitby Cliff Lift

  11 Mar 2026 - Scarborough and Whitby MP Alison Hume has voiced her strong opposition to the proposed decommissioning of Whitby's historic Cliff Lift, joined by a chorus ...
• 
  Cliff Lift Decommissioning Wouldn't Impact Whitby’s Blue Flag Status

  11 Mar 2026 - North Yorkshire Council has moved to reassure residents and visitors that Whitby's prestigious Blue Flag beach status is not at risk, ...
• 
  Questions Raised Over "Fantasy" Repair Figures as Future of Whitby’s Cliff Lift Hangs in the Balance

  10 Mar 2026 - The future of Whitby's historic cliff lift has been cast into further uncertainty as local councillors voice serious concerns that the ...
• 
  Whitby Residents and Councillors Unite in Fight to Save "Vital" Cliff Lift Amid Accessibility Fears

  4 Mar 2026 - The future of Whitby's historic West Cliff Lift remains the focus of intense local debate following a packed meeting of the Scarborough and ...
• 
  Councillors Back Calls to Save Whitby’s ‘Vital’ Cliff Lift

  1 Mar 2026 - ​A motion calling on North Yorkshire Council bosses to urgently reconsider their plan to permanently shut Whitby's historic Cliff Lift in the ...
• 
  Scarborough & Whitby MP Adds Voice To Cliff Lift Debate

  13 Feb 2026 - Alison Hume has lent her voice to those wanting North Yorkshire Council to intervene and save Whitby's West Cliff Lift.
• 
  Whitby Cliff Lift Inspection Produces ‘Very Favourable’ Findings

  10 Feb 2026 - The findings of an inspection of Whitby Cliff Lift have been welcomed by councillors ahead of a proposal to permanently close the landmark.
• 
  Whitby Mayor Says Cliff Clift Closure is "Not a Done Deal"

  6 Jan 2026 - Whitby's mayor has said she will 'not sit back' over a proposal to permanently close the town's landmark cliff lift.
• 
  Date Set for Decision on Future of Whitby Cliff Lift

  4 Jan 2026 - A decision on the future of Whitby's Cliff Lift is set to be made in the next few months by North Yorkshire Council.