Tide may be turning against plans for concrete sea wall

In February councillors chose to back a rival option for multi-million pound sea defences which will transform the resort’s South Bay after a decade of work.

Scarborough Council’s Cabinet agreed to push forward with plans for a new £22m stepped concrete revetment with a £1.4m wave wall rather than a £16.6m rock armour option, which was put forward by officers

But the decision is now set to be reconsidered after the authority’s Environment and Economy Scrutiny Committee recommended that the cabinet should opt for the rock armour as the preferred choice.

And there is possibility of further debate at a meeting of the full council next week after the committee members pushed for the move.

Green party councillor Dilys Cluer, who called in the decision, said: “My concerns are many. Environmental impact is one of them but there are a lot of other issues as well. There is the amount of beach it takes up, the cost, which is enormous, and health and safety aspects.”

At almost double the carbon dioxide cost, Coun Cluer said the concrete slope also went against the council’s agreed sustainibility policy from 2008, as well as not offering the same possibilities for wildlife habitats.

She said: “I’m hoping Cabinet will revise their previous decision. The rock armour will be more effective, will last twice as long, won’t cost us so much and will be better environmentally.

“The Cabinet should reconsider it and then it should go to full council. Both of the meetings happen next week so a decision should be made by then.”

It is the second time the scheme has been scrutinised after Independent councillor Peter Popple called both options into question earlier this year amid fears key concerns, such as the protection of the historic Spa, had not been properly addressed. However, the decision was upheld.

Scarborough Council’s Cabinet portfolio holder for coastal and flood defences, Coun Andrew Backhouse, said: “I have no issue with the scrutiny. It’s not a cut and dry situation, it never has been.”