North Bay plans backed

The plans would change the face of the town's famous North Bay

Plans which would change the face of Scarborough's North Bay have been given the unanimous backing of the borough council.

The £120m proposals include seafront apartments, a conference hotel, a leisure centre, shops, restaurants, bars and a casino.

Developer Benchmark Properties has been given outline planning permission allowing it to take the proposals a step further - the first time any developer has cleared the initial planning hurdle.

Other developers have had designs on the area for almost a decade but none of their plans has passed the council's scrutiny.

Boost to economy

However, not all councillors were convinced that the latest redevelopment scheme was suitable, raising concerns over a number of issues from parking to the protection of endangered species.

Planning officers have attempted to allay their fears by writing conditions into the proposals to give the local authority the final say on any controversial aspects of the development.

The scheme must then gain government approval before work can start.

Unveiling the plans in January 2003, Benchmark Properties director David Rhodes said: "We are confident that the scheme will play a key role in revitalising the area and provide a boost to the local economy.

"We are excited to be playing our part in the future of Scarborough."