Call to reject plans for sea front zip line

Artist's impression of the zip line attraction

Councillors have been asked to refuse plans for a 2,100ft (650m) zip wire attraction in Scarborough for a second time.

An amended proposal for a zip line experience in the town's North Bay could be refused at a North Yorkshire Council meeting on April 11.

Big Bang Promotions' plans are being recommended for refusal by officers over concerns it would cause "significant harm" to the character of the area.

At the last meeting in February, councillors chose to defer a decision to allow the applicant to amend the plan, but planning officers said that the changes did not “significantly reduce the overall visual or heritage impacts of the development”.

'Desperately needed'

The zip line would consist of several wires between two steel-framed towers, measuring 115ft (35m) and 62ft (19m) in height, running from the former Mr Marvel’s Leisure Park to the south of the Scalby Mills Miniature Railway Station.

Planning officers previously said the impact of the "visually dominant" towers on Scarborough's conservation area was key to their decision to recommend refusal.

The plans are recommended for refusal over concerns it would cause "significant harm" to the character of the area

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Big Bang Promotions is now seeking temporary planning permission for five years, and would leave out most of the cladding from the launch tower, keeping “only what is required for security at ground level”.

This would leave most of the launch tower exposed in an off-white colour while the landing tower’s cladding has also been amended from blue to a “green contour graphic design”.

Councillors on the Scarborough and Whitby area planning committee described the attraction as “desperately needed” but said that changes were required to make it acceptable.

More than 170 locals wrote letters in support of the plan and more than 40 letters of objection were received.

James Field, owner of Big Bang Promotions, emphasised the economic benefits of the zip line, which he said could “reposition Scarborough as a forward-thinking destination” as well as creating 10 full-time jobs and 40 part-time jobs.