Tax group planning protest over resort’s bungled revamp

The TaxPayers’ Alliance is organising the demonstration in the Town Hall Gardens from 12.30pm and is inviting residents and local businesses to attend.

The protest, called “Justice for Brid” follows criticism of East Riding Council, which was forced to rethink its Bridlington Area Action Plan last week after supermarket giant Tesco decided not to build a new store in the resort.

This would have freed its existing site for a new retail development that was a key part of the AAP, which was supposed to bring £200m of investment to the town.

The protest will be attended by the chief executive of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, Matthew Sinclair.

Andrew Allison, the group’s Beverley-based national grassroots co-ordinator, said: “This protest is to get those councillors, officers, and consultants responsible for this mess in Bridlington’s regeneration to be held to account.

“Millions of pounds of tax payers’ money has been wasted, leaving large parts of the town derelict through the council’s blunderings. It’s about justice for Bridlington.”

He added: “We expect over 100 people to be there and 30 signed up on Facebook in two hours – that’s more than attended the consultation. Local residents have been invited and we will be going around local businesses inviting them to come along.

“We also want to know why local councillors are not speaking out for residents.”

The authority has said it was “disappointed” by Tesco’s decision, which came after the first fall in profits at the company for 20 years.

But Alan Menzies, the authority’s director of planning and economic regeneration, said the council remained committed to regenerating the town and that other elements of the AAP could still be delivered.

He said it would now look to develop the site earmarked for a new Tesco store, the council-owned coach park in Hilderthorpe Road, with a new retail partner.

Tesco’s current site was to have formed part of Burlington Parade, a mixed-use retail, housing, and small business development.

A Government inspector approved the bulk of the AAP last year, but ruled out the development of the Harbour Top, another key part of the scheme. The revised AAP was adopted by the council in January.