Decision day for Scarborough Argos plans

The council's planning committee will consider the £22 million proposals.

Author: Jon BurkePublished 9th Dec 2021

We'll find out today whether or not a £22 million development of part of Scarborough town centre is to go ahead.

There have been dozens of objections to the council's plans to demolish the former Argos building on Newborough - and replace it with accommodation for NHS workers and students.

A planning committee this afternoon has been recommended to approve it.

But there are concerns about its suitability for the area and about parking, which the authority insists won't be affected.

In 2019, the authority voted to replace the building with a scheme drawn up in collaboration with Coventry University Scarborough and the York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, which runs services at Scarborough Hospital.

Speaking in October, Scarborough Borough Council Leader, Steve Siddons, said:

"We're trying to support the university and its expansion plans and that's to the benefit of residents, particularly our young people.

"The problem in our town is that we just do not have enough well-paid professional jobs and people have to leave here to get them.

"Yes, there is a problem with car parking, particularly in the old town and we need to address that. But it's not going to be made any worse by having this facility there. We've repeatedly said that there won't be any car parking permits for students, or for health workers".

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