Progress Made on Whitby Maritime Hub Construction

Early technical groundwork has now been completed at the site of the new Whitby Maritime Hub.

North Yorkshire Council says that construction is well underway on the multi-million pound scheme in Whitby that is aimed at helping to drive forward the economy and boost job opportunities.

The Whitby Maritime Training Hub is aimed at establishing the North Yorkshire port as a key player in the maritime and offshore renewable energy sectors.

It is set to build on the town’s proud fishing and sailing heritage with a dedicated centre on Endeavour Wharf to provide a greater breadth of careers in the historic port.

Early technical groundwork has now been completed, and with construction gathering pace, leading figures behind the project have visited the site to witness the progress.

North Yorkshire Council leader Cllr Carl Les said: 

“The construction of the maritime training hub is all about driving new economic growth on the coast, providing a diverse and sustainable range of job opportunities to help ensure Whitby’s thriving future.

“This first-class training facility presents a wonderful opportunity to achieve that by creating and inspiring the next generation of skilled professionals and apprentices in a range of maritime industries.

“It was great to meet the key contractors responsible for the hub’s construction, and it was clear they share our passion in delivering a facility that will benefit the entire region.”

North Yorkshire Council leader Cllr Carl Les, Cllr Phil Trumper who represents the Whitby West division, Linda Wild of the project’s steering group, and Cllr Neil Swannick who represents the Whitby Streonshalh division.

Cllr Les was joined on the visit by Cllr Neil Swannick, the member for the Whitby Streonshalh division, and Cllr Phil Trumper, who represents the Whitby West division.

They met with representatives from the Whitby Town Deal Board, developer Willmott Dixon and the authority’s property consultancy Align Property Partners.

Cllr Swannick said: 

“I’m very pleased with the progress of this development, and I am looking forward to the completion of this wonderful facility which I believe will benefit the whole community.”

Cllr Trumper added: 

“It was fantastic to meet all the stakeholders who are working so hard on the maritime training hub with construction now well underway.

“I’m sure the project will bring a number of new opportunities for the town and it’s great to see the progress that is being made.”

The hub aims to provide training facilities and accommodation for businesses and service providers to inspire the next generation of skilled apprentices and maritime industry professionals.

It will also contain engineering workshops and office space for marine-based start-up businesses and other maritime industries.

North Yorkshire Council will initially manage the facility, which has been designed to blend in with the existing views of the town.

The chair of Whitby Town Deal Board, Barry Harland, said: 

“It is great that this construction is now underway. When meeting the councillors and key contractors involved, it was clear how passionate everyone is in wanting to deliver a world-class facility for Whitby.

“As the project continues to gather pace, I expect the excitement will only continue to build among local communities about the many opportunities that the hub will provide.”

The funding for the project, which is expected to cost £10 million, will come from the £17.1 million given to Whitby as part of the Government’s Town Deals programme. A total of £37.3 million was awarded under the programme to Whitby and Scarborough in 2021.

In a public consultation held last year as part of the planning process, 69 per cent of people who submitted their views were supportive of the project.

Nationally-recognised developer, Willmott Dixon, will be leading on the construction – which is expected to be completed by April 2026.

Council-owned property consultancy Align Property Partners will take on the day-to-day management of the site.

Director at Willmott Dixon, Nick Corrigan, said: 

"This is an exciting moment in the development of Whitby Maritime Training Hub.

“Our team thoroughly appreciated the opportunity to welcome councillors and local organisations to site to celebrate how the project will make a real difference to the Whitby community and add to its proud maritime heritage.

“Throughout this project, we and our local supply chain partners will provide up to 800 hours of employment support through our Building Lives Academy programmes, alongside 150 weeks of apprenticeship training and 20 work experience placement opportunities.”

Operations director at Align Property Partners, Andy Bardon, added: 

“Whitby is one of North Yorkshire’s most-loved coastal towns and we’re delighted to be part of this exciting project, which we hope will benefit the area for generations to come.

“The maritime training hub is an opportunity to protect the town’s rich maritime history, while also safeguarding and investing in its future by inspiring future professionals into the industry.”