Scarborough Council backs legislation that makes it more difficult to open pubs and bars in Whitby

Legislation that makes it more difficult for new bars and pubs to open in Whitby has been backed by Scarborough Councils cabinet against police advice.

The executive body voted today to recommend that the full council moves to retain the town’s Cumulative Impact Zone (CIZ).

The councillors based their decision on anecdotal evidence from the public after North Yorkshire Police said there were not enough incidents of crime and disorder to justify renewing the CIZ for a further three years.

A CIZ makes it harder for an applicant to open a new drinking establishment in the area covered by the zone.

Cabinet member Cllr Sandra Turner (Con) said she welcomed the keeping of the zone in Whitby.

She told her fellow councillors: “A large part of the zone is in my ward and I can say quite honestly that the residents put forward very measured responses to the consultation.

“Without the zone in place, the implications for businesses in Whitby will be on a downward spiral.”

In total, more than 250 people responded to the consultation on Whitby alone, with 79.9% of them stating the CIZ should not be removed.

In asking for the CIZ to be removed North Yorkshire Police pointed to the reduction in crimes in Whitby.

When the policy was introduced in 2006 there were some 200 reported violent incidents, compared to 79 in 2016/17.

The new policy of the CIZ will be reviewed until it is up for renewal in 2022.

As part of the review, Falsgrave Road in Scarborough will not be added to the town’s CIZ following responses from the public.

However, ward councillor Liz Colling (Lab) asked for the situation to be monitored moving forward as the area has seen an increase in applications for pubs and bars in recent years.

The proposals will now go to the authority’s full council meeting on March 1.