Timetable looks to summer launch for open air theatre

Scarborough Council and its private sector partners Benchmark are ploughing 3.5m profit from its 140m Sands Project into rebuilding the venue which has been a rotting eyesore for years.

Construction began on the site next to Northstead Manor Gardens in November and officials say a start will be made on putting up a new stage on April 19.

The aim is to complete the construction work on the site by May 17 and finish the stage four days later, ready for the handover to leisure giant Apollo on July 30.

The council's strategic director David Archer revealed the facilities would be better than envisaged when the scheme was unveiled to councillors last October.

He said: "Originally Benchmark's planning permission for the backstage area was for the provision of artists' accommodation within temporary cabins.

"The council and Apollo consider that in order to attract the high quality artists expected at the open air theatre, a permanent backstage changing area will be a prerequisite."

Planning consent was being sought for the building, but it would not mean any changes to the scheme as a whole or the cost.

He said: "The budget as approved by council in October was 3,540,000, which included a contingency of 300,000. This contingency remains largely intact with only minor elements of expenditure being made against it."

The biggest unforeseen cost so far had been hiring an ecologist for about 20,000 to deal with a great crested newt colony on the island. However this cost has been largely offset by savings made elsewhere.