Whitby Neighbourhood Plan: the need to support businesses and tourism
In this, the seventh of a series of articles on the Whitby Neighbourhood Plan, we take a look at some of the issues with business and tourism in the Whitby parish.
Sustainable economic growth is required to meet the needs of residents, business and visitors, creating conditions where businesses can expand, invest and adapt.
The problem
Whitby Business Park, and the other minor business parks of the town, are poorly connected, with little or no public transport accessibility.
Better infrastructure is needed for all business areas to allow access for deliveries, easier access for personnel via public transport, active travel means as well as affordable parking facilities.
The business park has significant road connectivity issues, as well as road safety issues for pedestrians, disabled, and people on bikes.
Employee issues include the lack of affordable housing in the area, the lack of public transport to access jobs and a lack of skills training available locally.
Improved digital connection required for all areas, whether that is internet connectivity or mobile phone coverage.
While the business park has an amount of space for expansion already allocated, there seems a lack of space for larger businesses.
Tourism issues highlighted include low/seasonal wages, traffic congestion, various forms of pollution, anti-social behaviour, reduced affordable housing availability for young people and families, all to the detriment of residents and businesses.
Sustainable forms of tourism can only progress if we have a sustainable community which Whitby parish is very much lacking at present.
The proposals
We are proposing the following Neighbourhood Plan policy:
WBY22: Business & Tourism
◦ New or expanding business developments will be supported in existing business areas, with smaller operations directed towards the town centre.
This will be with the proviso that they do not have an adverse impact on the surrounding area.
◦ Whitby Business Park Area (WBPA) developments must comply with the WBPA Action Plan & Design Brief, limiting retail activity to specific categories, and otherwise directing retail to the town centre. The business park requires much improved access.
◦ Tourism – new business developments need to help grow the year-round tourism offer, providing quality jobs and complying with other WNP requirements to maintain sustainable tourism.
Any development should not have an adverse impact on residential living conditions.
The consultation
Your comments are welcome.
Visit https://www.whitbycommunitynetwork.org/whitby-neighbourhood-plan-draft-consultation/ to find the consultation on the plan.