Whitby’s Maritime Hub will establish the town as a “key player” in the maritime and offshore renewable energy sectors, says North Yorkshire Council as it reveals its vision for the region’s harbours.
Senior members of North Yorkshire Council are going to be asked to approve a plan it says will “promote safe, sustainable and economically viable harbours” for Whitby, Scarborough and Filey.
The North Yorkshire Council Harbours Strategy 2026-2036 will pave the way for the long-term future of North Yorkshire’s harbours through investment, innovation, and collaboration – with the offshore wind industry, tourism and improvements to facilities at the forefront, it added.
The Government has said the UK is the second largest offshore wind market in the world, and NYC says as major wind farms are located off the Yorkshire coast including at Dogger Bank, the county’s coastal towns have the potential to help support the industry.
A spokesperson added: “The strategy will consider new developments including the £10m Whitby Maritime Hub which is under construction and nearing completion.
“The development is aimed at establishing Whitby as a key player in the maritime and offshore renewable energy sectors.
“It is set to build on the town’s proud maritime heritage with a dedicated centre on Endeavour Wharf to provide a greater breadth of careers in the historic port.”
The report sets out an action plan, which for Whitby specifically includes: a boat lift at the Maritime Hub; forming a users working group to review the opening arrangements and scheduling for Whitby Swing Bridge and explore different arrangements by 2027; replace sheet steel piles to Eskside Wharf this year; carry out masonary repairs to the West Pier Lighthouse by 2028 if budget allows; install protection measures to Endeavour Wharf by 2032; get grants to protect Whitby’s piers and extension arms in a time frame spanning 2032 to 2040.
NYC revealed last week that it was already progressing a multi-million-pound regeneration scheme to revitalise Scarborough’s West Pier.
It added that tourism can help support Whitby’s harbours with tourism in Scarborough alone generating nearly £580m each year and contributing to North Yorkshire’s visitor economy which is worth more than £4bn a year.
However, the council report also says tourism is part of the challenge harbours face.
An increasing tourism pressure, changing needs of the tourism economy, keeping up with rapidly emerging technological advances, climate change and the impacts of a changing coast on infrastructure, increased flood risk and marine ecology all impact how the harbours will develop over the next ten years.
Executive member for harbours, Coun Mark Crane, said: “The proposed strategy would secure the future of our harbours through investment, innovation, and collaboration.
“While celebrating their rich maritime heritage, we will ensure that our harbours remain cherished and dynamic destinations for generations to come.
“We have listened to responses to the public consultation and taken the draft plans to committees, sharing with ward members, town councils, and harbour user groups to gather a breadth of expertise.”
The North Yorkshire Council Harbours Strategy 2026-2036 will be discussed at The Executive Committee of North Yorkshire Council on Tuesday at 11am, being held at Scarborough Town Hall.
