North Yorkshire Council has announced that the major redevelopment of Scarborough's historic West Pier will require additional funding due to rising costs since its initial approval.
The cost of a major harbour redevelopment project in North Yorkshire has increased since it was approved, the council has said.
Plans to transform Scarborough’s historic West Pier and ensure it remains a working harbour and a popular visitor destination are set to require additional funding due to an “increase in costs”.
At a meeting in May, councillors said the scheme is expected to cost around £15 million, of which £1.7 million had been spent so far.
After decades of exposure to harsh marine conditions, many of the historic West Pier’s buildings are in a dilapidated state and North Yorkshire Council is working on a multi-million-pound regeneration scheme to revitalise the landmark structure.
According to council documents, the additional expenditure is expected to be less than £1 million but exact costs are yet to be announced.
A council notice states:
“This report is to seek additional funding to cover the increase in cost since the decision by the former Scarborough Borough Council to proceed with the development.”
A decision on the additional funding is due to be made later this winter.
A meeting of the authority’s executive committee has been scheduled for Tuesday, November 17, to discuss the additional funding requirement.
The project includes restoring and repairing existing heritage facilities to bring them back into active use, preserving their character, alongside the creation of new, modern, flood-resilient buildings for commercial use and improved public facilities such as toilets and parking.
Plans also include new business opportunities to support the local economy, new kiosks, enhanced pedestrian routes and a new paved plaza which could accommodate outdoor events and cultural activities.
At a meeting in January 2025, a decision on plans to redevelop the West Pier was deferred after questions were raised about the scheme’s economic benefits and the importance of adding a boat hoist.
Robin Gray, chairman of the Scarborough Harbour Advisory Board, has said that a long-discussed boat lift and marina expansion project in the town could generate more than £1.4 million annually and help create hundreds of additional berths.
The claim emerged during a recent meeting of the Scarborough Harbour Users Group, where members discussed future development plans and North Yorkshire Council’s wider harbour strategy.
Mr Gray told attendees he had developed a Green Book-standard business case setting out the potential economic benefits of a boat lift and associated marine facilities.
Speaking at the meeting, he said the proposals could generate more than £1.4 million a year through a combination of berthing income and supporting businesses such as engineering and chandlery services.
The document also reportedly suggests the harbour could accommodate about 240 berths in the outer harbour.
The proposals form part of wider discussions around the long-term “Blue Sky” vision for Scarborough Harbour, which council officers confirmed has now been incorporated into North Yorkshire Council’s adopted Harbours Strategy.
Chris Bourne, North Yorkshire Council’s head of harbours, said a £200,000 funding bid had been submitted to the Government’s Fishing and Coastal Growth Fund to support a feasibility study into the wider harbour expansion proposals.
He said the study would be used to establish accurate costs and benefits for any development.
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