Marquess of Normanby reveals plan to build 150-space car park for visitors to Sandsend on his land

The 15,000-acre Mulgrave Estate has applied to the North York Moors National Park Authority to build a 150-space car park and a new road bridge close to the beach at Sandsend, near Whitby.

Historic England has said the scheme at East Row had potential to be “a very beneficial development”, which if handled sensitively, could result in an overall enhancement to the area, which includes Mulgrave Castle, the seat of novelist Lord Normanby’s family since the early 18th century.

The conservation body also highlighted how the current ad-hoc parking arrangements at busy times detract from the historic character and appearance of the area.

It is understood the wider landscape impact of the scheme would be limited due to the enclosed nature of the site, a former sawmill stacking yard in a valley.

The estate hopes to open car park from dawn to dusk to serve visitors to the National Park, Mulgrave Historic Park and Gardens, Sandsend village and its beach.

Some villagers have said the car park would be too large, encouraging up to 300 extra people per day and business and facilities are already busy and might not cope with extra visitors.

Planning documents reveal one objector stated: “Sandsend should not become on offshoot of Whitby. The village’s character, charm, atmosphere and natural beauty will be destroyed by more visitors.”

However, a public consultation in the village found 92 per cent of respondents agreed a new tourist car park was needed to some extent and 78 per cent of the respondents agreed the proposed location was the best site for a new car park.

Whitby cum Mulgrave councillor David Chance said if approved the proposal would ease parking issues as the historic village and sandy beach were “exceedingly popular”.

He said residents struggled to park in the village during the summer and visitors regularly parked illegally, blocking side roads, on double yellow lines and even on paved areas

Coun Chance said the scheme would also serve as a boost for the range of businesses in the village, including public houses, cafes and shops.

He said: “Staycations and days out are going to be more popular, but there is already a constant demand. The parking there in the summer is horrendous.”