A bid to extend the Heritage Coast of North Yorkshire to Filey Bay will be recommended to Scarborough councillors next week. The current Heritage Coast extends from Saltburn to Scalby Mills, and there is another stretch of protected coastline from Bempton Cliffs to Flamborough. The potential bid would join up the two protected coast sections, with benefits for conservation and tourism. It would also add pressure to create a single continuous coastal footpath along the length of Filey Bay, where currently walkers have to make detours.

Earlier attempts to extend the Heritage Coast designation provoked fears from landowners who believed it could lead to more rigorous planning constraints and falls in the value of their land and property.

But Scarborough Council’s head of regeneration Mrs Elliott said Heritage Coast status would not change the existing land usage policy framework and protection would rely on existing enviornmental protection designations. Mrs Elliott said “The beauty of the borough’s coastline is one of its greatest assets. Any tourism publicity should also be used as an opportunity increase people’s enjoyment, appreciation, understanding and concern for the Heritage Coast.”

It is now believed an upcoming review of National Landscape Policy by Natural England represents a “window of opportunity” for designating the Holbeck to Speeton area as Heritage Coast. If agreed at next week’s meeting of Scarborough Council’s cabinet, a Heritage Coast application could be submitted to Natural England next month.

Source: Filey & Hunmanby Mercury