Filey RNLI extension approved despite concerns about access
There are worries the extension would severely limit vehicular access at Coble Landing
Scarborough Council has granted planning permission for the extension of the Filey RNLI lifeboat station despite concerns from councillors and the public.
At a meeting of the planning and development committee on Thursday September 8, councillors voted in favour of allowing the RNLI to extend its Filey lifeboat station after councillors agreed to change the plans.
According to the Royal National Lifeboat Institutionâs application, the 2.6m seawards extension is required for its 10-minute launch target to be met.
However, at a previous meeting of the planning committee in August, councillors decided to defer their decision until they could visit the site in person.
Councillors suggested that the extension would severely limit vehicular access at Coble Landing and would create a âconflictâ between pedestrians and drivers.
They also raised several concerns about a proposed side access door to the lifeboat station which some members suggested would ârestrict the business and profitabilityâ of the adjacent business.
Speaking at the meeting, Cllr Mike Cockerill said: âAs Iâve previously declared, I do have a personal interest in this application.
âI have supported Filey lifeboat for well over sixty years and my wife is secretary to the Filey Womenâs Lifeboat Guild, which raises a tremendous amount of money for the lifeboat station.
âConsequently, you will appreciate how difficult it is for me to speak against this application.â
He said: âBut I have to look further than the RNLI, I have to look at the wider picture, particularly in relation to the operation of Coble Landing and most importantly, to the safety of all those using Coble Landing.â
Cllr Cockerill said that a site visit showed members of the committee âsome of the problems with vehicular traffic, particularly, delivery vehiclesâ which he said existed âeven without the proposed extension to the lifeboat houseâ and suggested that the plans be rejected.
He added: âCoble Landing is tight enough as it presently exists, it is clear that the RNLI has not considered the detrimental impact on the safety of the public.â
Cllr Mike Cockerill proposed that the committee vote in favour of refusing the plans but as no one seconded his proposal, it was not voted on.
Councillors suggested that the extension would severely limit vehicular access at the Landing and would create âconflictâ between pedestrians and drivers.
Councillors also raised several concerns about a proposed side access door to the lifeboat station which some members suggested would ârestrict the business and profitabilityâ of the adjacent business.
The councilâs planning officers had reportedly contacted the RNLI to ask whether they would agree to change the plans so the door was not included. Though the officers did not receive a formal response, some councillors said they had been told that the RNLI would be willing to compromise on the matter.
Cllr Glenn Goodberry said he understood why the RNLI had asked for an extension: âThe current set-up as it stands is chaotic in the fact that you have multi-vehicle manoeuvres outside of that station.
âThe proposal will allow for one movement so you can drive that boat out and away you go.â
Vice-chair of the committee, Cllr Jane Mortimer, said: âSomething needs to happen and this at the moment seems to be the one we have in front of us.â
After a lengthy discussion, the committee voted in favour of granting planning permission subject to âomission of the side doorâ and agreed that the council âwrites to the Harbour Master to raise the wider issue of the management of Coble Landingâ.
The motion was approved by the planning committee with only two votes in abstention.