First stage of plan to build 139 new homes on Yorkshire Coast College site set to be approved this week

The Grimsby Institute Group, which owns the former Yorkshire Coast College site in Lady Edith’s Drive, applied to Scarborough Borough Council for outline planning permission earlier this year for the housing development.

The college, which is now called Scarborough TEC, moved out to the former University of Hull campus in 2017 and the Lady Edith’s Drive site is now almost completely vacant.

In the application, Hodson Architects say the site could house 29 detached homes, 54 semi-detached and 56 townhouses.

The existing entrance to Lady Edith’s Drive would be retained for vehicles and a public open space would be created.

Scarborough Council’s planning committee will meet on Thursday (5th) to discuss the application, with its officers recommending approval.

As the plan is for outline permission only a further application would be needed in the future to show the full details of the homes to be built and their specifications.

Newby and Scalby Parish Council and four people have objected to the application.

Sport England has also objected due to the loss of playing fields if the housing was to be built. Scarborough Council planning officers disagree and say the scheme has been “tested” and goes on to say that the 3G pitch at the Sports Village in Weaponness is meeting the demand for people who want to play football.

The report that will go before councillors on Thursday adds that further approval will be needed due to Sport England’s objection.

It says: “It should be noted that if members resolve to approve this application it must be referred to the Secretary of State for consideration, via the National Planning Casework Unit, before a decision can be issued.”