Letter: Former school represents our town's heritage

It is a large, very important Victorian building in a conservation area and represents part of our heritage. The architectural design is detailed and generally consistent with the street scene.

I view with great concern that the building was bought just to be demolished to make way for a commercial enterprise that only Scarborough College and McCarthy and Stone will benefit from.

Any community benefit is with funds within a S106 Agreement being allocated to tennis provision, which is currently a very important sport but is “narrow” and does not necessarily benefit the community overall. Will this agreement be available to the public before signing or will it be dealt with by planning officers behind “closed doors”?

Of course, many people will ask what else could the building be used for?

I appreciate a building of this size will require maintenance and expense. However there are many important, varied and valuable community groups in Scarborough who do not have common meeting or use facilities.

A building of this size could accommodate many of these groups and probably qualify for grant aid.

Additionally, the building is of such importance it could be developed into a “living and interactive museum” in its own right. The community would have to work hard together to achieve this.

If the building were to be demolished and a new development put in its place then the area, and particularly Filey Road, a southern gateway into the town, will be severely affected by traffic disruption. Does the developer and council have a contingency plan to counter this?

Paul Espin

Holbeck Road, Scarborough