Council to step into renaissance breach left by regional agency

The authority is expected to back renaissance strategies for Beverley, Driffield, Goole, Howden, Hornsea and Withernsea when its cabinet meets today, and they will then inform a new economic development plan for the region, which is due to be completed next year.

A report to cabinet said: “Because the renaissance strategies have been funded and developed through a variety of means they have not individually been formally endorsed by the cabinet. This has left their status unclear.

“The strategies are long-term visions for the respective locations developed by local stakeholders with specialist urban development and design support. As such, they are not suited for adoption by the council as policy but need to be recognised as important tools to inform planning and other policies, resource allocations and investment decisions.”

Despite the towns’ existing assets and attractions, and improvement work already under way, none are realising their potential.

The report said: “The available evidence from studies and the LDF (local development framework) evidence based indicates that, despite their potential, all the East Riding’s principal and coastal towns underperform as retail and/or visitor destinations.”

The report said the council’s role in helping to deliver the strategies was now crucial.

It said: “With the demise of Yorkshire Forward, financial support to implement the strategies as a specific programme is no longer available.

“Any significant public funding for major projects and programmes will now be dependent on the council’s commitment, and through external funding sources.”

Plans for Beverley include building a hotel on the site of the current Westwood Hospital after this is replaced by a new community hospital on the edge of town, new visitor facilities on the Westwood, clearly defined entrance signs to the town and its centre, and improved access to the Minster.

It is hoped to eventually raise Beverley’s profile to match those of other Yorkshire destinations such as Harrogate or Whitby.

Driffield hopes to maximise the potential of its heritage and hinterland, while in Goole the aim is to cash in on its “amazing landscape” through plans such as the illumination of landmarks like the chimneys, grain stores and towers on the skyline - known locally as the “salt and pepper pots”.

Howden could become a “rural digital capital” through the development of a digital media cluster, while Hornsea’s plans include investment on the seafront, a new “town square” and other improvements.

The planners believe Withernsea could benefit by emphasising its distinctiveness, its maritime heritage and creating a “single, positive identity” for the town.

A new fishing compound is being designed and other work is planned for the Queen Street area.

As well as cashing in on nature tourism, it is also hoped an off-road cycle route could be created between Withernsea and Hull.

Sue Lang, regeneration and funding group manager at the council, said: “We have always seen ourselves as leading in terms of articulating local conditions. Our directors worked with Yorkshire Forwards to make sure how they wanted things doing and fitting with our own local situation.

“It’s now down to us and our various partnerships to look at what we are trying to achieve and seek to secure funding to do things as opposed to it being a bilateral agreement with Yorkshire Forward.

“The important thing is these are long-term plans of up to 25 years.”