Heritage group accused over concerns for ailing theatre

A decision has yet to be reached over whether the venue should be awarded listed building status, prompting concerns among the task group launched to look at the future of the theatre.

While Scarborough Borough Council officers are continuing to draw up the planning brief, the proposals will not be able to go out for public consultation until a decision is reached on whether the building will be listed.

The task group’s chairman, Coun David Jeffels, said: “It is very disappointing that English Heritage has taken so long to consider the application for listed building consent.

“It is holding the process up, and we want to make sure that we get all the pieces of the jigsaw in place before we ask the public for their views.

“I would hope that the planning brief will be published by the autumn, although this is dependent on the decision about listed building status.”

English Heritage maintained that a report is due to be submitted in the next week to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, which will make the final decision.

Campaigners attempting to prevent the theatre from being demolished had applied almost a year ago for it to be classed as a listed building.

While the venue remains operational, consultants have claimed it would be “commercial suicide” to keep the theatre, which is on a site that could be used for redevelopment.