Exclusive: Sea defences will transform resort

One of the most ambitious schemes of its kind in the country is being considered to protect Scarborough from the threat of climate change and introduce a major upgrade of the resort's ageing sea defences.

The project would herald the most significant change to the seafront in Scarborough since the massive development during the Victorian era, bringing with it the opportunity to attract a wave of new enterprise.

Consultants are due to be appointed this week to carry out a 560,000 study to draw up blueprints for boosting the sea defences centred around the historic Spa theatre complex.

One option could see "advancing the line" of the sea defences, which would transform the resort's South Bay by moving protective barriers further off the coast.

The scheme would allow the Bay's historic seafront to undergo a massive regeneration programme, although senior councillors have admitted that the proposals will provoke controversy.

Scarborough Council's portfolio holder for the environment, projects and coastal and flood defences, Andrew Backhouse, said: "If the decision is taken to proceed with the scheme, it would be one of the most significant changes to Scarborough's seafront since its conception as a spa town.

"As a local authority, we simply cannot stand still – Mother Nature, the economic times and the tourism industry are constantly changing and the council needs to look to the future.

"We are not naive enough to think that these proposals will not create strong opposition or differences of opinion. But we intend to consult widely with the public and the business community as it is a sensitive issue."

A global consultancy firm, Royal Haskoning, is expected to be given the contract this week to carry out the appraisal of the Spa's sea defences, the Environment Agency paying for the 560,000 study.

The company is involved in major projects around the world including the creation of a masterplan for a new city, Eko Atlantic, on a man-made island which will act as sea defences for Lagos in Nigeria.

Royal Haskoning is also developing a flood management scheme for Jakarta in Indonesia.

The Scarborough research will also look at "holding the line" which would improve the sea defences already in place between the theatre complex and the resort's so-called aquarium top area near the Spa Bridge.

However, it is the more ambitious element of moving the defences further out to sea which will prove to be the most contentious, and council officers have admitted that the wider ranging project could have implications for the whole of the South Bay.

The latest research is part of a coastal defence strategy which was adopted by the council in January 2000 amid growing concerns that existing structures could fail and are in need of major improvements.

Coun Backhouse admitted that lessons would be learned from the scandal surrounding a controversial scheme at Marine Drive, but he maintained that the authority now had a "proven track record" for introducing major defence projects.

The council was criticised by the District Auditor Richard Penn in December 2004 for breaking the law and its constitution for engaging High-Point Rendell for the Marine Drive scheme and then concocting a bogus best value report to make it look as if the contract was properly tendered.