Whitby amusement arcade's retrospective plan for repair works
A popular amusement arcade in Whitby has applied for retrospective permission for repair works to its building.
The owners of Funland and Fun City Amusements at 24 Pier Road want planning permission for repair works that have already been carried out.
Mark Miller’s retrospective application is for the removal and replacement of the building’s roof at Pier Road, which forms one of the town’s most prominent historic frontages.
“Buildings along the eastern side create a characteristic run of narrow eighteenth- and nineteenth-century properties facing the harbour.
"Although several buildings have been altered, the townscape retains a strong historic form, consistent rooflines and the vertical rhythm typical of Whitby’s coastal architecture,” the plan states.
According to the applicant, the re-roofing works are limited to the replacement of the existing roof covering and did not involve any extension, increase in floor area, alteration to the building’s footprint or ground-level development.
Although the application site is not listed, it is located directly adjacent to 23 Pier Road, a Grade II listed property of 18th Century origin.
“This building is identified in its listing description as having a Welsh slate roof and is included for its group value with the surrounding frontage,” a submitted heritage statement notes.
The roof that was replaced consisted of machine-made red pantiles of a modern interlocking type.
The applicant said the tiles had been replaced several times in recent decades due to repeated storm and salt damage arising from the exposed seafront environment.
“On this basis, the previous roof covering had no historic value and did not form part of the original or early fabric of the building.
"Its replacement does not result in any loss of significance,” the submitted proposal states.
“As the former tiles were modern and not of historic value, their removal results in no loss of significance.”
The replacement roof was designed to replicate the appearance of a traditional clay pantile “while providing substantially increased durability” and “flashings and ancillary components are colour-matched to maintain a coherent appearance”.
North Yorkshire Council had not set a date for deciding on the application which is open to representations from members of the public.