On Air Now

Tom Hooper

3:00pm - 6:00pm

  • 01723 336444

Now Playing

Kim Wilde

Four Letter Word

Download

Wheel and Golf Proposal for Scarborough's Futurist Site

Wednesday, 11 October 2023 at 16:28

By Anttoni James Numminen, Local Democracy Reporter

A 32m high observation wheel could return to Scarborough’s seafront if new plans are approved.

A controversial observation wheel could soon return to the site of the former Futurist Theatre on Foreshore Road in Scarborough if plans are approved by North Yorkshire Council.

Observation Wheel UK has proposed that the wheel and an 18-hole adventure golf course occupy the site on a seasonal basis until October 2025.

The operator had previously been granted permission for the wheel to operate on the signature spot for three years but the deal ended in 2023, putting the future of the attraction in doubt.

The 32-metre high wheel first arrived in 2019 and has given visitors birds-eye views of the town’s South Bay and North Sea.

Submitted plans state that it will carry 24 “evenly spaced gondolas each on an individual axel” which allows them to “hang freely and remain level while the wheel is rotating”.

The wheel has been criticised by residents over its location and appearance but has proved popular with tourists.

The 18-hole Captain Jack’s Adventure Golf course would be positioned directly adjacent to the observation wheel and would be operated by the same company.

A supporting structure with decking, ramp access, and a ticket office would also be installed.

The site is located on Foreshore Road, between St Nicholas’ Gardens and Coney Island amusement centre, on land that was previously occupied by The Futurist Theatre

The theatre closed in 2014 and was demolished four years later.

The applicant has stated that the wheel “should provide the public with an entirely new appreciation for the surrounding Scarborough conservation area”.

North Yorkshire Council has not yet made a decision on the planning application.

Want to See More from This is the Coast?

Click here to set This is the Coast as a preferred source on Google search.

Love living on the Yorkshire Coast? So do we.

This is the Coast is 100% locally owned and operated. We don’t rely on public funding or government grants—we rely on our community.

Producing trusted, fact-checked local news takes time and resources. If you value having a dedicated team of professional journalists fighting for our region, please consider supporting us.

Help keep the Yorkshire Coast informed for the price of a coffee a month.

Support Local Journalism Today

More from Yorkshire Coast News

Comments

Add a comment

Log in to the club or enter your details below.

Follow Us

Get Our Apps

Our Apps are now available for iOS, Android and Smart Speakers.

  • Available on the App Store
  • Available on Google Play
  • Just ask Amazon Alexa
  • Available on Roku

Today's Weather

  • Scarborough

    Sunny intervals

    High: 16°C | Low: 13°C

  • Filey

    Light rain

    High: 17°C | Low: 14°C

  • Whitby

    Heavy rain shower

    High: 16°C | Low: 11°C

  • Bridlington

    Light rain

    High: 14°C | Low: 12°C

  • Hornsea

    Heavy Rain

    High: 16°C | Low: 13°C

  • Driffield

    Light rain

    High: 16°C | Low: 13°C

News

Podcasts

  • The Seadogs Podcast - Scarborough Athletic FC

    EP75: INTRODUCING THE MONEYWEB STADIUM!

    Scarborough Athletic Marketing Director tells us about Moneyweb's 5-year stadium naming rights deal

  • The Codcast - Whitby Town FC

    The Codcast- Episode 97

    Andrew, Paul, Liam & Jack with Graeme Lee, Ben Creamer, Cal Hickman & Oli Swan

  • Yorkshire Coastcast

    EP84: Scarborough Spa Wedding Fayre - All You Need To Know!

    Add a touch of Spa Magic to your special day at Scarborough Spa! The venue is hosting a Wedding Fayre on 22nd November

  • Yorkshire Coastcast

    EP83: BRUNSWICK DEVELOPMENT: ARE WE LITERALLY BACK TO SQUARE 1?

    EP83: Scarborough's Brunswick Development: Are we literally back to Square 1? We speak to NYC Deputy Leader Mark Crane