Scarborough zip line plans decision is delayed by councillors

Opponents feared the attraction would damage the character of the North Bay

A decision over plans for a 2,100ft (650m) zip line experience in Scarborough's North Bay has been delayed.

North Yorkshire councillors voted to defer a decision on the 115ft (35m) high attraction.

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

The firm said it would work with the council to amend its proposals.

A report presented to the planning committee noted that the zip line attraction - on the site of the former Marvel's Amusement Park - was "acceptable in principle".

However, they had also said: "[It] would cause significant harm to visual amenity and detract from the established coastal tourism character of the area."

Several wires would run between two steel-framed towers and could carry up to 80 people an hour.

It would launch in front of the town's Open Air Theatre in North Bay and head towards Scalby Mills miniature railway station.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Big Bang Promotions' owner James Field emphasised the economic benefits of the zip line and said he was happy to work with councillors to amend the proposal.

Mr Field told the committee it was "poised to be one of the largest and longest" in the UK and would "reposition Scarborough as a forward-thinking destination" as well as creating dozens of jobs.

The firm behind the idea said it would create dozens of jobs

Eric Broadbent, the councillor whose ward the zip line would be in, said the plan was "brilliant [but] in the wrong place".

"I think it would be a backward step if we brought that sort of attraction to the North Bay. It would swallow the beauty."

Planning councillors heard 170 letters in support of the plan and more than 40 letters of objection had been received.

Another member of the committee, Subash Sharma, said the zip line towers would "dominate the skyline and the whole perception of the North Bay".

Council planning officers said they were doubtful changes could be made which would address the concerns over its impact on the area.

A deferral was decided on the casting vote of the chair after three councillors voted to refuse and three voted to defer.

The plan is set to return to the planning committee for reconsideration at an unspecified date.