Scarborough West Pier plans aim to protect harbour

New proposals to regenerate Scarborough West Pier have been unveiled, setting out how the historic working harbour could be repaired, reorganised and opened up with better public facilities.

The multi-million-pound scheme is intended to protect listed harbour buildings, improve safety on the pier and keep Scarborough harbour functioning for the fishing industry, while also making the South Bay waterfront more usable for visitors and local businesses.

North Yorkshire Council says the revised plans have been shaped by harbour users and local stakeholders. A public consultation is now open and will run until Monday, 13 July, before the scheme is refined ahead of a planning application.

New buildings, repaired heritage spaces and public facilities

The revised proposals cover both restoration and new construction on Scarborough West Pier. Existing heritage facilities would be repaired and brought back into active use where possible, preserving the character of the pier while dealing with buildings that have deteriorated after long exposure to marine conditions.

Some buildings that are no longer considered fit for purpose would be demolished to allow new development. The council says the replacement buildings would be modern and flood-resilient, with space for commercial use and better public facilities.

The plans include improved toilets, parking, new kiosks, enhanced pedestrian routes and a paved plaza that could be used for outdoor events and cultural activity. The visitor-facing parts of the scheme sit alongside changes intended to keep the pier as a working harbour rather than turning it into a purely leisure-led waterfront.

Working harbour area kept in the revised design

A major change in the revised proposals is the retention of a clearly defined working harbour area. The council says feedback from the previous planning process has been considered, including comments from harbour users and local stakeholders.

The updated design includes improved fishery facilities, new bait sheds and welfare facilities. A flexible industrial space would also be protected so it could accommodate a future boat lift and possible pier expansion.

Plans to include a restaurant in Building 1 have been withdrawn. That change signals a more cautious balance between visitor economy uses and the practical needs of Scarborough’s fishing industry, which remains one of the defining uses of the harbour.

Why the pier needs long-term investment

Scarborough West Pier is a historic asset in the town’s South Bay, but several of its buildings are now in poor condition. The council says decades of harsh marine exposure have left parts of the site dilapidated, with investment needed to protect listed structures and improve the pier’s structural condition and safety.

The project is part of wider investment plans for Scarborough Harbour, including infrastructure and facility improvements for harbour users. Proposed funding would come from part of the £20.2 million Local Regeneration Fund grant awarded to Scarborough, formerly known as the Towns Fund, alongside council capital budgets.

The same fund has already supported other local projects, including work at Scarborough Cricket Club’s West Stand, new teaching facilities at the Construction Skills Village and the year-round Scarborough Fair arts, heritage and sports programme.

Public views before the planning stage

The latest consultation follows an earlier public consultation in September and October 2023, when 91 per cent of respondents agreed that intervention was needed to safeguard the pier.

Planning and listed building consent applications for earlier redevelopment proposals were submitted in February 2024. Those applications drew significant public interest and a wide range of representations, which the council says have informed the revised scheme now being shown to residents and harbour users.

Cllr Mark Crane, executive member for open to business with responsibilities including economic development and regeneration, said the project was an opportunity to transform the harbour and safeguard it for future generations.

“Many of the facilities on the West Pier are in urgent need of investment,” he said. “Our aim is to revitalise the pier so it can continue to support local businesses, while also becoming a more attractive and sustainable destination that can drive growth in the town.”

Source: North Yorkshire Council

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This report is based on North Yorkshire Council's published update on the revised Scarborough West Pier regeneration proposals.

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• Confirmed the consultation deadline stated in the source as Monday, 13 July.
• Separated revised proposals from earlier planning applications submitted in February 2024.
• Checked that the scheme concerns Scarborough West Pier, Scarborough South Bay and the work...
• Identified the named public figure quoted in the source as Cllr Mark Crane.

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North Yorkshire Council

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Scarborough

Updated

2026-06-04 21:16

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Article contextPeople & topics1#7

Mark Crane

#fishing industry#Local Regeneration Fund#North Yorkshire Council#Scarborough harbour#Scarborough South Bay#Scarborough West Pier#working harbour

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