Demolition of 'deteriorating' seaside café approved

Planners said the demolition of the building was "not considered to be harmful to the character of the area"

A "deteriorating" seaside café is to be knocked down after plans were approved by North Yorkshire Council.

Harbourside Holidays intends to replace the three-storey Waterfront Bar at 39 Sandside, Scarborough, with a four-storey structure, including a café on the ground floor, with three holiday flats on the upper floors.

Planning officers acknowledged the demolition would see the loss of a "traditional structure", but said alterations to the original building meant it no longer contributed "to the character and appearance of the conservation area".

The application was approved subject to conditions, including limiting the hours of the café from 09:00 to 23:00, Monday to Friday.

One resident lodged an objection to the scheme, citing concerns about "further erosion of the historic scale of this part of Scarborough".

They said the plan would not "respect the domestic character of Quay Street", adding, "Scarborough is also being overprovided with holiday lets".

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service a letter of support for the plan was also submitted, stating the applicant had undertaken other work in the area which, if matched by the new development, would "enhance the area".

A report noted that the offer of an additional holiday accommodation unit respected "the existing character of the area".

Officers concluded: "The building is beginning to deteriorate and may have a harmful impact on the street scene in the near future if left unaltered."

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