The North Yorkshire Council

 

Corporate Director of Community Development

 

Permission to apply for funding to support Whitby Abby Head Parking from Local Authority High Street Fund

 

Report of the Corporate Director

 

1.0       PURPOSE OF REPORT

 

1.1     To seek approval for the submission of an application to support Whitby Abby Head Parking to the Local Authority High Street Fund for funding of £250,000 from the Director Community Development in consultation with the Chief Finance Officer sub-delegated to the Assistant Director- Resources.

 

 

2.0       SUMMARY

2.1       The report recommends that North Yorkshire Council apply for grant funding of £250,000 from the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority (YNYCA) to support Whitby Abby Head Parking from the Local Authority High Street Fund, a fund set up to support projects emerging from the Town Investment Plans programme.

           

3.0       BACKGROUND        

 

3.1       On the 6th May 2025 North Yorkshire Executive committee made the decision to accept funding from YNYCA for The Town Investment Plan (TIP) programme which will develop tailored investment plans for 32 towns and key service centres across North Yorkshire.  These plans will provide a strategic, co-ordinated approach to regeneration and investment at a place-based level.  They will help the Council and its partners to understand investment priorities and provide a structured focus for future business cases and investment decisions. 

 

3.2       As part of YNYCA commitment to the programme, a fund has been created to support capital projects emerging from the TIP programme.  The Local Authorities of North Yorkshire and York are eligible to bid for funding.  The project list for the Local Authority High Street fund was considered by the Growth Board on 18 Dec 2026 who supported the applications going forward, subject to development and approvals.

 

3.3       Regeneration and Localities Officers have reviewed evidence and carried out community consultation in Whitby.  This highlighted parking and traffic management as an investment priority for the town.  Officers worked with stakeholders and relevant council services to develop a project proposal for Whitby Abby Head Parking to address this need.  

 

4.0       WHITBY ABBY HEAD PARKING

 

4.1       To implement Sudspave cellular paving (which is commonly recycled, porous plastic slabs which interlock together) into the overflow car park at Whitby Abbey Headland, so that the car park can be used after stormy/rainy periods and does not become unusable due to boggy conditions. The long-term ambition here is to create a second permanent park and ride for Whitby, with this first action delivering on Parking Principal 7 ‘Parking will be managed so as to support the vitality and attractiveness of town centres, recognising parking arrangements are key to trade.’

 

4.3       By improving the parking facilities at Abby head, we can begin to relieve some of this pressure. Similarly, during events, people often do not travel due to the traffic congestion. The park and ride would alleviate, and reduce conflict on these important days for Whitby’s town centre. 

 

4.4       TIP engagement sessions have highlighted parking to be a main concern for the high street, particularly from visitors taking up on street/car parking spaces which are often needed for businesses, staff and logistics. Furthermore, traffic congestion is already high in Whitby. An improved car park would alleviate both of these problems. 

 

4.2       The total project value is £250,000 of which the full amount will be covered by the LA High Street Fund.  The asset will be transferred to Parking services on completion which will be responsible for future maintenance and revenue liabilities.  These are expected to be covered by parking revenue generated in Whitby.

 

 

5.0       CONSULTATION UNDERTAKEN AND RESPONSES

 

5.1       As part of the project development, internal consultation took place between Parking Services, Conservation and Archaeology. Parking Services were supportive of the project and confirmed, subject to adequate funding being secured they would deliver the project and own this asset.  Both conservation and Archaeology officers could see no issues with this project.

 

5.2.      Legal have assigned a main contact in relation to the grant application process.

 

5.3       Community and business engagement has been undertaken as part of the TIP programme and demonstrated support for the type of intervention that this project will address.

 

 

6.0       FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

 

6.1       On going revenue implications have been considered as part of the project development.  After completion the asset will be the liability of Parking Services, who will take on all maintenance and on going revenue implications[JH1] 

 

7.0       LEGAL IMPLICATIONS

 

7.1       Grant terms and conditions are not available at the present time but will be reviewed by Legal Services when released, should the bid be successful. If any of the grant terms and conditions present unacceptable risk for the Council then the grant offer would be declined.

 

8.0       EQUALITIES IMPLICATIONS

 

8.1       There are no Equalities implications from submitting the application.  Equalities implications will be re-appraised if the application is successful as part of the acceptance procedure

 

9.0       CLIMATE CHANGE IMPLICATIONS

 

9.1       There are no Climate Change implications from submitting the application. Climate and sustainability implications will be reappraised if the application is successful as part of the acceptance procedure

 

 

10.0     CONCLUSIONS

 

10.1      That the Council makes an application to the Local Authority High Street to cover the costs of delivering the Whitby Abby Head Parking

 

11.0     REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATIONS (MANDATORY)

 

11.1      The funding will contribute towards a need identified as part of the Town Investment Plan programme.  The relevant council services have been consulted and revenue implications have been considered.

 

 

12.0

RECOMMENDATION

 

 

i)              That the Corporate Director Community Development in consultation with the Chief Finance Officer sub-delegated to the  Assistant Director – Resources approve the submission of the grant of £250,000

 

 

           

 

Note: Members are invited to contact the author in advance of the meeting with any detailed queries or questions.

 

PLEASE ALSO NOTE THAT IF ANY REPORTS / APPENDICES INCLUDE SIGNATURES THESE MUST BE REMOVED / DELETED PRIOR TO SENDING REPORTS / APPENDICES TO DEMOCRATIC SERVICES.  Appendices should include an Equality Impact Assessment and a Climate Impact Assessment where appropriate

 

 

 

 

 [JH1]Have they confirm they are happy with this proposal? and they are willing to adopt? what estimations have been assumed on the increased income to cover ongoing maintenance?