Seaside town sites pinpointed for redevelopment

Developers will be urged to come forward with initial plans to transform sites in Scarborough’s North Bay.

Locations in this area which are owned by North Yorkshire Council have been earmarked for potential redevelopment.

The sites are seen as providing an ideal opportunity for future development and fresh investment in Scarborough while helping boost the town’s visitor economy, which employs more than 5,600 full-time staff in the area.

Members of the council’s executive will consider plans on 4 February for a marketing exercise to ask developers how they would transform the locations that have been identified for investment.

Executive member for open to business, Councillor Mark Crane, said: “Scarborough is one of our most popular destinations on the coast, and we want to help ensure there is the investment in the town to benefit both local communities and visitors alike.

“We believe these sites in the North Bay offer real potential to help to drive forward the local economy.

“We will consider the proposals carefully to ensure that any market testing attracts the right sort of developer to provide the right kind of schemes for the town.”

Sites identified include the former Atlantis Waterpark, the former Marvel’s amusement park and land which was previously the location of the Kinderland children’s activity park.

Other sites include land where the town’s former indoor pool was based alongside its off-street parking, while there are plans to maximise the potential for footpaths that weave around the North Bay.

The Alpamare Waterpark, which the council took control of in December 2023 when the previous operator went into administration, is currently run by Malton-based Flamingo Land.

Flamingo Land signed a 12-month lease after re-opening the attraction in July last year and has expressed an interest in extending the deal for a further year.

A report to the council’s executive has stressed that a waterpark should remain as one of the long-term attractions in the North Bay.

Council deputy leader, Cllr Gareth Dadd, said: “The North Bay area of Scarborough does provide exciting opportunities for the town, and its future development would bring benefits for both residents and visitors.

“The sites which have been identified could also have major financial benefits for the council if they are redeveloped and we will consider the options which are available for the approach to the market testing when the executive meets next week.”

As part of the marketing plans, developers will be asked to identify the potential for the sites and whether they would be interested in taking on more than one location for redevelopment.

Chair of the Scarborough and Whitby area committee, Cllr Liz Colling, who represents the Falsgrave and Stepney division in Scarborough, said: “This is set to be the first step in identifying potential developers for these sites which will hopefully lead to investment to benefit our local communities in the town.

“While the visitor economy is a huge part of Scarborough’s economy, we need to make sure any development in the town is beneficial for residents too.

“This is about the future of Scarborough and potentially bringing new job opportunities and careers to the people who live here and in the surrounding area.

“This would help ensure the younger generations of our residents can remain in the town where they grew up and embark on a career here.”