Inspection to shed light on state of harbour landmark

Plans are being drawn up for the port’s East Pier lighthouse to be inspected by a specialist restoration company.

The lighthouse has been boarded up after being blighted by anti-social behaviour and there are worries that it has developed a worrying lean and may be at risk of collapse.

While initial inspections have indicated it is structurally sound, Scarborough Borough Council and the Whitby Harbour Board are attempting to glean a clearer idea of the state of the port’s assets.

The harbour board’s vice-chairman, Laurie Farmer, confirmed that a detailed management plan for the port was being drawn up.

But Mr Farmer added: “We must point out that like many port landlords, we have limited revenue funding at our disposal and have to manage both significant and in some cases ageing infrastructure.”

The borough council’s engineers have already undertaken an initial inspection of the lighthouse along with English Heritage experts.

A decision has now been taken to place the structure on the buildings at risk register.

However, the council has stressed that it is due to be classed in category three, which is the lowest at risk category.

While a further detailed inspection is carried out, stonework jointing will be repaired and the lighthouse will be re-painted.

A new door will also be fitted to ensure that the building remains secure and is not broken into.

Talks are due to be held with Whitby Civic Society to provide a new public information board on the lighthouse to explain the history of the pier and the building.

The lighthouse, which along with East Pier itself is listed, was built in 1854, most probably from Aislaby sandstone and stands about 55ft tall.

It is no longer used as an operating navigational beacon, having been replaced by a new lighthouse after the East Pier’s extension was completed in about 1914.

But the redundant lighthouse is known to still be used as a navigational reference point to aid vessels approaching Whitby’s harbour.

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