Anger surrounds town marina plan

Campaigners say the Marina would ruin the town's appearance

Residents of a North Yorkshire seaside town are up in arms about plans for a £25m marina, campaigners have claimed.

Hundreds of people in Whitby have signed petitions against the proposed development at the Endeavour wharf.

Scarborough Borough Council said the development of about 140 apartments, shops and a new-look marina would only go ahead with local people's support.

Protestors said the plans would ruin the heritage of the historic port town and have vowed to stop them.

The strength of feeling is high. If they put one brick down we will take it away Suzy Prout, Stop the Marina campaign

Suzy Prout, of the Stop the Marina Action Group, said: "When the Endeavour comes in, they sail up the river, they come into Endeavour wharf.

"Can you imagine what it would be like when, instead of lobster pots, they are seeing this massive great development that is four to five storeys?

"It would take away the whole romantic idea of the old seaport."

The full-size replica of Captain Cook's ship is a regular visitor to the port town.

Local shop owner Justin Couppe accused the borough council of putting money before the feelings of local people.

"The yacht people themselves say they don't want it, the Whitby people say they don't want it. So why are Scarborough still here?

"The word? Money. They are like bees round a honey pot. They will not leave it alone."

Growing support

In a statement, the council said: "We considered a development at Whitby marina as a means of improving facilities for yachtsmen and creating a better visual appearance of the town.

"The council will only proceed with a development if it has a consensus of support from the local community."

But Mrs Prout claimed support for the campaign was growing amongst local residents and that people from all across the country have signed the petitions.

"The strength of feeling is high. If they put one brick down we will take it away," she said.

"This is not a thing that we can go ahead with - we will not allow it to happen."