Major new plans for Whitby’s historic harbour are unveiled

The town’s harbour board is hoping to push forward with the proposals, which could generate an extra £200,000 a year, in a bid to keep the harbour an “active part of the community” as the fishing industry continues to wane.

A report, which explored the feasibility of the project, revealed there was space for an additional 500 berths. However, only 200 could be accessed from council land.

It also examined ways in which access to the harbour could be improved, including making it “wet” by introducing a loch mechanism.

Members of the board are set to discuss the proposals when they meet next week.

Coun Mike Cockerill, chairman of Whitby Harbour Board, welcomed the plans. He said: “This was an idea from one of the board members that came up a few months ago. He is a civil engineer and has worked in harbours and marinas all over the world.

“We had this report done which seems to support the idea but we aren’t sure how the environment people will view it because we will need to drown a few worms if we make it we rather than mud flats. At the moment we are waiting for feedback from the Environment Agency.

“I think it’s a fantastic idea. It would make it a bustling marina. There’s a significant waiting list for berths at the moment, so it would be fantastic if we could create something there where people are tethered all time.

“One possibility is to have a loch mechanism to allow boats to come down from the impounded area into the existing harbour for access to the sea.”

Coun Cockerill said the project, which would be carefully planned by industry experts, would breathe new life into the harbour.

“I think we have got to move with the times and whilst there is still a fishing industry presence, but it’s vastly reduced to what it used to be. The harbour board can try to do what it can to work to keep it an active part of the community. After all, Whitby without it’s harbour? I dread to think about it,” he said.

Scarborough and Whitby MP Robert Goodwill is backing the proposals and agreed that other options needed to be explored to bring investment into the town.

He said: “This is another sign of the times of the fishing industry. Obviously Whitby needs to look where it can to capitalise on its port facilities. I think most boats around the country would be eager to get a birth as there is a huge waiting list. I think if they can accommodate more berths for yachts then it’s got to be good news.”

Mr Goodwill believes the move will provide a boost for the town’s economy, as visitors from across the globe will moor their boats in the harbour and head onto shore.

He said: “If people have yachts moored in the harbour they will come regularly into Whitby as by and large people tend to eat on the shore.

“Also, depending on the size of the vessel, some people sleep in hotels and guesthouses rather than on board. If you can get more berths without affecting charter fleets it seems to me a good idea. I will be interested to see how they can get that many berths in there without it affecting harbour users.”

Mr Goodwill said that despite the recession, harbours on the south coast were thriving, with an increasing number of people holidaying on boats.

“This could be replicated in Whitby,” he said. “It will create more of a buzz in the town and it is such a great location.

“It’s always been a plan to try and make Whitby a bigger marina.

“I think it sounds very positive and I will certainly be keen to see how it goes forward as long as it doesn’t affect the traditional uses of the harbour, as there are still lobster and crab fishermen.”

If the board agrees to back the proposal, it will await the results of a consultation with the Environment Agency before going forward.