North Yorkshire Council
Scarborough and Whitby Area Committee
2 March 2026
North Yorkshire Council Harbours Strategy
Report of the Corporate Director – Environment
1.0 PURPOSE OF REPORT
1.1 The purpose of this report is to seek views from members of the committee on the proposed North Yorkshire Council Harbours Strategy ahead of it being reported to the Executive.
2.0 BACKGROUND
2.1 North Yorkshire Council is the statutory harbour authority for Scarborough and Whitby Harbours. Former strategies, prepared by Scarborough Borough Council have long expired and this strategy presents the first opportunity for North Yorkshire Council to set out its visions for Scarborough Harbour, Whitby Harbour, and Filey Coble Landing.
3.0 NORTH YORKSHIRE COUNCIL HARBOURS STRATEGY
3.1 A full copy of the draft North Yorkshire Council Harbours Strategy is included (Appendix A).
3.2 The version in the appendix is a “text only version” for review, consultation and comment. The final published version will be a professionally designed full colour document containing suitable images and photographs of the harbours. This will be applied once the final version has been approved.
3.3 The strategy is a high-level document which provides the framework for the development and future direction of management for Scarborough and Whitby Harbours and Filey Coble Landing, and how each of these unique assets will develop over ten years from 2026 to 2036. It is an ongoing and active document which will need to respond to economic, social and environmental changes as well as new policies.
3.4 The Executive Summary is reproduced below:
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
North Yorkshire Council’s Harbours Strategy outlines a 10-year plan to revitalise Scarborough Harbour, Whitby Harbour, and Filey Coble Landing. Following the 2023 local government reorganisation, the Council became the statutory harbour authority, aiming to ensure safe, sustainable, and economically viable harbours.
Vision & Mission
· Vision: To fulfil the potential of Scarborough and Whitby Harbours and Filey Coble Landing, by providing safe, and sustainable facilities, which celebrate their rich maritime heritage and embrace innovation and economic growth. Our harbours will be environmentally responsible, resilient to future challenges, and welcoming to all offering accessible, and engaging spaces for residents, visitors and businesses alike. Through collaboration and investment, we will ensure that our Harbours remain cherished and dynamic destinations for generations to come.
· Mission: Manage harbours to benefit current and future communities while preserving their historic value.
Strategic Objectives
1. Ensure safety and high service standards.
2. Strengthen stakeholder relationships.
3. Improve operational efficiency and resilience.
4. Maintain and upgrade infrastructure.
5. Invest in new facilities to attract growth sectors.
6. Develop markets in fishing, leisure, tourism, and renewables.
7. Ensure robust financial management.
8. Support environmental sustainability and net zero goals.
Challenges & Opportunities
· Challenges: Ageing infrastructure, fishing industry decline, climate change, and funding gaps.
· Opportunities: Offshore wind supply chain, tourism, maritime training, and improved harbour facilities.
Strategic Actions
· Infrastructure upgrades (e.g., West Pier, Eskside Wharf).
· New developments (e.g., Whitby Maritime Hub, boat lift).
· Environmental initiatives (e.g., shoreside power, biodiversity).
· Enhanced stakeholder engagement and financial planning.
Conclusion
This strategy provides a clear roadmap to secure the long-term future of North Yorkshire’s harbours through investment, innovation, and collaboration.
4.0 CONSULTATION UNDERTAKEN AND RESPONSES
4.1 The document will be subject to full consultation. Which will run until the 22 March 2026 The further consultation will include:
· The draft strategy being uploaded to the Consultations section of the Council’s Website for public consultation.
· The draft strategy being reported to the Transport, Economy, Environment and Enterprise Overview and Scrutiny Committee (this report).
· The draft strategy being reported to the Scarborough and Whitby Area Committee at its meeting on 2 March 2026 for their consideration and comment. The Filey Ward member will attend this committee meeting.
· The draft strategy will be sent to Ward members.
· The draft strategy will be sent to Scarborough Town Council, Whitby Town Council and Filey Town Council for their comments.
· The draft strategy will be sent to the harbour user groups for Scarborough, Whitby and Filey, and also the strategy working groups (which were largely made up of the same members).
4.2 All consultees are encouraged to respond through the formal online consultations page to ensure consistency of responses and full detailed analysis of all consultation responses. The consultation period ends on Sunday 22 March 2026
5.0 LOCAL MEMBER ENGAGEMENT
5.1 Engagement has taken place with local ward members through their membership of the harbour users’ groups and through specific group meetings that were established at the start of the strategy.
5.2 In addition, local members will be in attendance at the meeting of the Scarborough and Whitby Area Committee when it considers the strategy at its meeting on 02 March 2026.
6.0 ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED
6.1 There are no other options. The only other option is not to have a harbour strategy.
7.0 CONTRIBUTION TO COUNCIL PRIORITIES
7.1 The strategy aligns with the Council Plan 2025-2029, which sets out the council’s vision, ambitions and priorities for the next four years, as well as the approach we will take to achieve them.
7.2 The Harbours Strategy seeks to recognise the role of the harbours within this strategic context and identifies how the harbours contribute to the Council’s priorities. The strategy also aligns with other cross cutting themes such as carbon reduction, our Climate Change Strategy and our economic growth strategy.
8.0 FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
8.1 There are no financial implications directly arising from the adoption of the proposed strategy as funding for schemes already in construction is included in the approved capital plan.
8.2 The strategy recognises that whilst there are a number of ambitious redevelopment proposals, these will be subject to securing external grant aid or additional council funding and will be subject to the usual financial governance process at the appropriate time.
9.0 LEGAL IMPLICATIONS
9.1 There are no legal implications directly arising from the proposed strategy.
10.0 EQUALITIES IMPLICATIONS
10.1 An equalities impact assessment screening has been completed and concludes that there is no adverse impact upon protected characteristics arising from the proposed policy (Appendix B).
11.0 CLIMATE CHANGE IMPLICATIONS
11.1 A climate change impact screening assessment has been completed and concludes that there are no adverse impacts arising from the proposed policy (Appendix C).
12.0 REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATIONS
12.1 The North Yorkshire Council Harbours Strategy presents the first opportunity for North Yorkshire Council to set out its visions for Scarborough Harbour, Whitby Harbour, and Filey Coble Landing.
12.2 The publication of a draft strategy enables the Council to obtain views from elected members, harbour users and stakeholders to be incorporated into the final strategy.
|
13.0 |
RECOMMENDATION
|
|
13.1 |
That members note and comment upon the proposed North Yorkshire Council Harbours Strategy.
|
APPENDICES:
Appendix A – Draft Harbours Strategy
Appendix B – Equalities Impact Assessment Screening
Appendix C – Climate Change Impact Assessment Screening
BACKGROUND DOCUMENTS: None
Karl Battersby
Corporate Director – Environment
County Hall
Northallerton
20 February 2026
Report Author – Chris Bourne, Head of Harbours and Coastal Infrastructure
Presenter of Report – Callum McKeon, Assistant Director of Regulation and Harbours