Public Views Wanted On Scarborough Borough Local Plan

Scarborough Borough Council is undertaking a review of its Local Plan and is inviting residents and businesses to comment on how the plan should address the borough’s future housing needs, the climate emergency and the role of Filey, Scarborough and Whitby town centres during the next 18 years.

The Local Plan was adopted in July 2017. It sets out the strategy for future development within the borough’s towns, villages and rural areas; identifying sites for housing and business development and providing the guidance against which planning applications are assessed.

The government requires that local plans are kept up to date so that they can react quickly to changes in both local and national policy and other circumstances.

Since the adoption of the borough’s Local Plan, the council has declared a climate emergency and the government has made a number of significant changes to its planning guidance, with more changes on the way.

The first stage of the review is an issue and options document for public consultation. It sets out the main issues to be considered, including how the Local Plan could help address the climate emergency, how much housing it needs to plan for, the size and type of housing needed, the future role of town centres and improving the design of the borough’s buildings and places.

One idea emerging is to identify sites that could be used for substantial tree planting or habitat creation. Through the consultation, the council welcomes suggestions from residents about where such sites could be created and would like to hear from any landowners that have a site available.

Copies of the issues and options document can be viewed online at scarborough.gov.uk/localplan. Comments can be submitted up until 5pm, Friday 6 November.

Paper copies are available on request from the Forward Planning team by emailing localplan@scarborough.gov.uk or calling 01723 232480. Video calls with a member of the team can be arranged by appointment.

All comments received will help the council to produce a draft version of the revised Local Plan in 2021.

Cllr Liz Colling, Scarborough Borough Council Cabinet Member for Inclusive Growth said:

“The Local Plan is designed to guide development in our borough until 2038 so it’s important that we keep it up to date and relevant.

We know that priorities for many of our residents include housing, climate change, the green agenda and our built environment.

Taking part in this consultation will enable you to express your views on these issues and help to shape how our borough evolves in the coming years.”