'Great potential for harbours': Council welcomes 'exciting' report into offshore opportunities in Scarborough and Whitby
Councillors have welcomed a report into potential options for economic development on the Yorkshire coast, including investment in the offshore wind and renewable energy sectors.
Scarborough and Whitby councillors have said that an “excellent” report looking into offshore economic opportunities could present important new pathways for economic opportunities over the coming decade.
‘Beyond the Shoreline’ was commissioned last summer by the Scarborough and Whitby Area committee, which endorsed a project to explore the scale and nature of offshore economic opportunities available for the North Yorkshire Coast.
Speaking at a recent meeting, Coun Neil Swannick, of Whitby Streonshalh division, said: “I think it’s an excellent report and it’s opening up opportunities for Scarborough and Whitby, which present the possibilities of a new economic development beyond the limits of tourism, and I think that’s very, very good.”
This report aimed to identify facets of the maritime industry relevant to future economic development along the coast and concluded that while the potential for the economic development of the North Yorkshire coast is significant, it exists within a small number of specific and limited niches.
A shortlist of sectors suggested for investment and cooperation include servicing and maintenance, the offshore wind industry, fishing, leisure and tourism, and 'niche and emerging opportunities' such as aquaculture, or unmanned vessels.
Coun Phil Trumper, Whitby West division, said: “I think it’s a great report and it highlights so much opportunity in our harbours, which the report captured.
“There’s an opportunity for our harbours in the next 10 years and we should be pushing forward.”