Planning application submitted to redevelop former Scarborough Argos building

A planning application has been submitted to redevelop the former Argos building in Scarborough town centre.

Buccleuch Property (Scarborough) Limited, who did the submission, says it follows extensive pre-application engagement with Scarborough Borough Council, Historic England and the local community throughout 2019 and 2020.

The building, which is at the junction of Newborough and Queen Street, will be mixed-use and will provide new retail units on the ground floor and accommodation for 52 in-training NHS doctors and nurses from Scarborough Hospital and 150 university students on the upper levels.

Polly McMeekin, York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust said:

Historically we have always had difficulties attracting registered nurses and doctors to the East Coast, so this development of affordable, quality accommodation will help us attract and recruit the correct number and calibre of staff, which is essential to help deliver the best possible care to our patients.

The university accommodation will be occupied by students from CU Scarborough, part of the Coventry University Group. Following the launch of the campus in 2016, the university has had a year on year growth in student numbers and expects similar growth during the coming years. The university believes that it is vital to provide students with the opportunity to live in high quality, well managed, purpose-built accommodation.

CU Scarborough Associate Pro-Vice-Chancellor Jackie Mathers said:

“As a recognised university town, the redevelopment will provide excellent accommodation to attract more UK and international students.

"The addition of purpose build student accommodation in the town centre will attract more students and in turn benefit the community and help local businesses.

"Our support of this project shows our continued commitment to invest in high-quality education and the local community and to help deliver qualified staff to work in our local NHS."

The proposed development will bring student and key workers to the town centre, provide modern retail units, increase footfall, support and diversify the local economy, and replace the current eyesore with a sustainable, attractive building that will improve the public realm.

The developers, Buccleuch Property (Scarborough) Limited, said:

“We understand the importance of the site and have taken great care to make sure our proposal fits within the character and setting of the surrounding area.

“We engaged with Historic England and Scarborough Borough Council over several months and they have provided invaluable feedback that we have taken on board and integrated into the forthcoming designs.

“The proposal has taken cues from the historic buildings in the town, which has created a cohesive development that makes a positive contribution to the conservation area and the setting of the nearby listed buildings.

“We have confidence in Scarborough regardless of the pandemic and are excited to partner with the NHS and CU Scarborough to take this scheme to the next stage.”

The Project is being managed by Development partners Wrenbridge Sport who have previously delivered Scarborough's Sporting Village together with the University Campus and UTC.

Peter Jarman of Wrenbridge Sport said:

“This is a very important next stage in the Councils vision to regenerate Scarborough Town centre and will bring much needed investment and vibrance to this area of the town. Our architects Corstorphine and Wright have worked tirelessly with all our stakeholders to create a high-quality building that will establish the University and the NHS firmly in the centre of town.”