Scarborough, Whitby and Filey are set to benefit from a major new 10-year investment strategy after North Yorkshire Council unveiled ambitious plans to secure the long-term future of the county’s harbours.
The North Yorkshire Council Harbours Strategy 2026 to 2036, which goes before the council’s executive members on Tuesday 16th June, sets out a vision for the three harbours, Scarborough, Whitby and Filey Coble Landing, to become resilient, welcoming and economically thriving destinations for generations to come.
The Challenge
The harbours are facing significant and well-documented challenges. Ageing infrastructure, the long-term decline of the traditional fishing industry, the growing impact of climate change, and persistent funding gaps have all put pressure on the county’s coastal assets in recent years. Without strategic intervention, the report warns, the harbours’ long-term viability is at risk.
But the strategy is focused firmly on opportunity rather than just survival, and the opportunities identified are considerable.
The Whitby Maritime Hub
Among the most significant developments highlighted in the strategy is the £10 million Whitby Maritime Hub, which is currently under construction and nearing completion on Endeavour Wharf.
The hub is designed to establish Whitby as a key player in the maritime and offshore renewable energy sectors, building on the town’s proud seafaring heritage while opening up a new generation of careers in the port. It reflects a broader push to capitalise on the offshore wind industry, which the Government identifies as the UK’s second-largest offshore wind market in the world. Major wind farms, including Dogger Bank, are located off the Yorkshire coast, and the county’s harbours have real potential to play a supporting role in that growing industry.
Scarborough West Pier Regeneration
In Scarborough, the West Pier is earmarked for major regeneration to secure its long-term future as a safe, resilient and fully functioning working port. Decades of exposure to harsh marine conditions mean that routine maintenance is no longer sufficient – significant investment is now essential to protect the infrastructure while preserving its historic character.
The scheme has been shaped directly by feedback from harbour users and the local community, and improvements will enhance safety, accessibility and the public realm. The project forms a key part of wider regeneration ambitions for Scarborough under the Government’s Towns Fund.
Why It Matters
The economic case for getting this right is stark. Tourism in Scarborough alone generates nearly £580 million every year, and North Yorkshire’s wider visitor economy is worth more than £4 billion annually. The harbours sit at the heart of that offer, and ensuring they remain vibrant, accessible and well-maintained is central to protecting that income for the communities that depend on it.
Cllr Mark Crane, North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for harbours, said the strategy had been developed through genuine consultation with the communities and industries that use the harbours every day.
“The proposed strategy would secure the future of our harbours through investment, innovation, and collaboration,” he said. “While celebrating their rich maritime heritage, we will ensure that our harbours remain cherished and dynamic destinations for generations to come.
“We have listened to responses to the public consultation and taken the draft plans to committees, sharing with ward members, town councils, and harbour user groups to gather a breadth of expertise.”
What Happens Next
The executive members will be asked to formally approve the strategy on 16th June. If approved, it will form the framework for the investment and development across North Yorkshire for the next decade.
The full report can be viewed and downloaded via the North Yorkshire Council website (item 1).
