Work on the £6.68 million redevelopment of Scarborough Railway Station will start next year after plans were approved despite concerns.
The coastal town’s long-running Station Gateway project was approved last week after a previous proposal was deferred over concerns about passenger drop-off arrangements and pedestrian safety.
Work on the scheme, which North Yorkshire Council hopes will be a “catalyst” for further investment in the town, is due to start early next year.
The project will deliver the most significant changes to the station forecourt in decades, creating a new public space and improving one of the busiest gateways into Scarborough.
Proposed Scarborough Station Forecourt Layout. Align
The redesigned space will feature improved pedestrian routes, new seating areas, resurfaced footpaths, tree planting and enhanced public spaces.
Key station facilities, including taxi access and disabled parking, will be improved as part of the plans.
The improvements are intended to strengthen Scarborough’s role as a “public transport hub” and could help unlock future regeneration opportunities, including enhancements within the station building and bringing currently unused areas back into use.
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Cllr Mark Crane, North Yorkshire Council’s deputy leader and executive member for open to business, said: “This is a major milestone for a project that has been many years in the making and was first started under the former borough council.
“Securing planning approval means we can now move forward with significant improvements to one of Scarborough’s busiest gateways, creating a more attractive and welcoming entrance to the town for residents and visitors.
“The scheme complements other regeneration work taking place in Scarborough, including plans to revitalise West Pier, and we hope it can act as a catalyst for further investment and improvements in the years to come.”
Initial proposals for the first phase of the Station Gateway scheme were developed by Scarborough Borough Council and submitted for planning approval in 2022, prior to the launch of North Yorkshire Council in April 2023.
The project has since been developed following extensive work involving the council, the Scarborough Neighbourhood Board, station operators and users, and other stakeholders, with the designs refined to focus on improving the immediate area surrounding the station.
Current Scarborough Station Forecourt Layout. Align
The chair of North Yorkshire Council’s Scarborough and Whitby Area Planning Committee, Cllr Phil Trumper, said: “After some changes were made to the application, the committee decided to vote in favour of this scheme.
“The improvements will make a huge difference to that part of Scarborough.”
Cllr William Stuart, a member of Scarborough Town Council, welcomed the proposed investment but argued concerns remained over pick-up and drop-off facilities, convenient access to station services and disabled parking provision.
Speaking at last week’s meeting, he questioned whether additional short-stay drop-off spaces could be provided closer to the station entrance and said councillors wanted reassurances that parking provision would be sufficient for disabled users.
Proposed 3 D View Of The Plaza As Part Of The Scarborough Station Gateway Plans. Align Property Services
The scheme is funded through £6.68 million secured from the Government’s Local Regeneration Fund.
Preparatory work is expected to begin in the coming months with construction due to start early next year.