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Whitby Town Investment Projects

This page provides a listing of projects touted for the town in Whitby Town Investment Plan(s) over recent years, together with the status of the projects. They are not in any particular order

Part of Whitby Blueprint 2021.

“By improving and upgrading the design and materials from the Quayside to the curtilage of the buildings along Pier Road, we will create a recognisable character for this part of the harbour. There are also opportunities to provide new and upgraded kiosks and stalls adding vibrancy and enhancing the current offer. To fully realise the opportunities to open up the waterside and better link businesses along Pier Road, the space between buildings and the harbour wall will be considered for reconfiguration assessing the current arrangement of uses including the highway, the space for pedestrians, the buildings and parking.”

Status : No progress.

Part of Whitby Blueprint 2021.

“Working with local businesses we would seek to build on the Whitby Seafood Brand, with opportunities to create a public facing platform for our local produce, visitor activities, education and learning, and commercial propositions for businesses linked to the fishing industry. We will also seek to open up views of the working harbour to provide a more vibrant setting for the market. It is expected that enhancements to the Fishing Quay and Market will create active frontage to Pier Road from the market buildings and open views to the waterfront to create a customer facing environment and tourist attraction.”

Status : No progress.

Part of Whitby Blueprint 2021.

“This project will enhance public spaces and provide better opportunities to interact with the waterside, whilst also creating a high quality arrival point into the Town. It is envisaged that key elements will include:

  • The creation of a memorable gateway space, including the existing small space in front of St Hilda’s Church;
  • Upgrading the look and feel of Victoria Square and Station Square, to create an attractive approach into Whitby. This will include upgrading materials, consideration of traffic flows and stopping off as part of flexible road closures measures when the bridge is closed to traffic. And may include the formalisation of short stay parking for drop off;
  • Improvements for New Quay Road and St Anne’s Staith, including traffic management and reconfiguration of the roundabout;
  • Enhanced facilities and experience for visiting craft and mariners;
  • Enhanced setting for Endeavour Wharf and publicly accessible elements of the Harbourside; and
  • Circa 24,700sqm of public realm improvements including surfacing, furniture and traffic management elements across the area.”

Status : No progress.

Part of Whitby Blueprint 2021.

“There is an opportunity to upgrade this through the incorporation of highways and public realm improvements, including:

  • Creating a waterside promenade, enhancing the surface materials, upgrading the furniture and lights and providing resting points along the route to sit and watch the coming and going in the Harbour;
  • Integrated parking bays within the design of the promenade to reduce the visual impact of existing parking along the street and break up long lines of parking through the introduction of elements such as resting points, trees or features such as lighting or sculpture; and
  • Highways improvements in line with traffic management controls implemented as part of works to the Swing Bridge.”

Status : No progress.

Part of Whitby Blueprint 2021.

“Renovation of the Grade II* listed Town Hall will ensure the structural integrity of this unique building and further raise its profile within Whitby. We will also explore the potential to develop sustainable new uses which support commercial and tourism activity, whilst respecting its history and heritage. Together with further investment in market infrastructure, we will create a vibrant and bustling market place and reaffirm the location as a focal point for onward exploration of the town.”

Status : Complete (Whitby Town Deal), with the exception of market infrastructure (electric supply etc) which was omitted from that project.

Part of Whitby Blueprint 2021.

“By enhancing the public realm in this area (Hudson Street, West Terrace, East Terrace and East Crescent) through the upgrade of street materials and creating a landmark green space to the centre of the crescent, we will create a distinctive and memorable ‘Quarter’ in the Town which supports businesses and increases footfall. There are also opportunities to reduce the visual impact of the highway and parked cars at North Terrace through the implementation of quality surface materials used within both the footway and carriageway, so that the space reads as an extension of the cliff side space.

We will also look to strengthen the beautiful links to the coast, through upgrades to the footways along Khyber Pass and specifically the steps from the Khyber Pass to the Whalebone Arch.”

Status : No progress.

Part of Whitby Blueprint 2021.

“This project proposes a traffic management led approach using programmable or real time measures to open and close the Swing Bridge to cars and better manage heavy pedestrian flow. This approach would be coupled with measures on the A171, Spital Bridge and Church Street on the east of the River, A174 and Station Square on the west of the River. These will include signage advising of the temporary closure and turning and drop off areas at Station Square and Grape Lane Church Street car park. It is envisaged that buses will still be able to cross the bridge at any time courtesy of bus gates.

Improvements as part of the proposed Church Street public realm enhancements, look to integrate parking and provide an attractive walk along the harbour to the Town, this will support the continuation of parking in this part of the Town Centre. Overall our objective is to redistribute vehicle traffic to create a better connected and walkable Town Centre, in turn increasing pedestrian dwell time to support commercial uses and enhance the visitor experience across the entire Town Centre.”

Status : In progress (Whitby Town Deal). Traffic lights added at Spital Bridge – New Bridge junction, but town centre components still awaited (Oct 2026).

Part of Whitby Blueprint 2021.

“Situated inside Whitby’s West Cliff Victorian Theatre, the Pavilion is an important local and regional destination. Regularly hosting live events including plays and live music, the venue also shows films as part of its year-round programme and has banqueting and conferencing facilities. The Whitby Steampunk weekender, and other large events are also based from the Pavilion.

Already a successful venue, there is capacity to increase its offer and more intensively use the complex. A strategic vision for the Pavilion is needed.”

Status : No change, and no strategic vision available.

Part of Whitby Blueprint 2021.

“The terminus of the Cinder Track at Whitby is located on a quiet residential street (Southend Gardens). On dismounting, the route into the Town Centre is discretely signposted along Bagdale on a narrow-segregated path. Our ambition is to increase the appeal of the Cinder Track for leisure and commuter use. Enhancements to the arrival on the track at Whitby will be promoted, with clearer and more inviting routes into the Town Centre. It is envisaged that through interventions along Southend Gardens and an improved crossing on Chubb Hill Road, a route though Pannett Park past the Gallery and Museum can be established. This would connect onward from Pannett Park to provide a pleasant and well-integrated journey into the Town Centre.”

Status : No change. The Whitby LCWIP has superceded this proposal, and has the development of the former Prospect Hill railway line as the preferred option to get in to Whitby town centre by bike rather than this proposal.

Part of Whitby Blueprint 2021.

“There is a pleasant route from the Swing Bridge, along Flowergate and St Hilda’s Terrace to the park, however on leaving the Town Centre, the streets seem more residential in nature, and there’s a feeling of moving away from the main attractions, which deters visitors from exploring further afield in the Town. A clearly signed and laid out route from the Town Centre to Pannett Park will be increase footfall and raise the visitor profile of the Whitby Museum and Pannett Art Gallery located in the park grounds.

In discussions with the Pannett Art Gallery, and as part of a programme to extend and upgrade the Gallery and exhibition, an arts trail or bespoke wayfinding elements would be installed creating wayfinding steppingstones to reinforce the connection from the Centre to a key cultural destination in the Town.”

Status : No change.

Part of Whitby Blueprint 2021.

“Though the Cleveland Way tracks our coastline and beaches, access to and from this scenic route peters out through Whitby. One of our strategic ambitions is to build better connection with our natural assets and through this promote nature tourism.

We aim to deliver a programme of enhancements to improve the connections at West Cliff to Cleveland Way and the beaches and to ensure it is well integrated with our aims to improve access and increase the visibility of opportunities along the coast.

This could incorporate a low carbon shuttle bus service between car parks and key attractions and amenities. In addition, there is also opportunity to expand and enhance the current offer of park
and ride facilities to reduce congestion within the town.”

Status : No change.

Part of Whitby Blueprint 2021.

“It is recognised that the west side of Whitby does not benefit from the same footfall as the east. Working with local businesses and residents an art trail has been created linking the key historic locations along the Swing Bridge, Golden Lion Bank, Flowergate, Baxtergate, the Pavilion and the Band Stand, and many of our less well frequented commercial and cultural areas.

The trail incorporates a series of life-sized metal sculptures each depicting a locally identifiable part of the Town’s fishing heritage. There is cross over with the routes and aspirations of the Pannett Park to Town Centre link, we expect several of the sculptures will feature in these other cultural and nature-based trails.

Building on the above we will look to deliver further trails which celebrate the natural history of our coast. Offering a new scope for exploring and enjoying the natural landscapes which surround Whitby and helping to offer diversity to the tourist market; it will also help to support green jobs and the creative sector.”

Status : Partially complete. A Whitby Heritage Sculpture Trail, featuring art work by Emma Stothard was created around 2023. There is no change on the project for a nature trail.

Part of Whitby Blueprint 2021.

“Provision of a public Wi-Fi network capturing the harbour area to the Abbey in the east and West Cliff in the west, will support local and visitor activity and provide the infrastructure for running real-time information and news. It will also be important in promoting and maintaining remote working options within the Town Centre.

The project will be supported by the provision of physical and digital wayfinding tools and technologies which will help users to discover Whitby. With a reliable digital platform we can host gamification services and Whitby will become an even more accessible place which can cater to a new market of Family Explorers, Extreme Adventurers or Curious Minds.”

Status : Completed (Whitby Town Deal).

Part of Whitby Blueprint 2021.

“A new Maritime Skills Academy will be established at Endeavour Wharf, capitalising on diversification of maritime career opportunities. The academy will provide training and certification to support the maritime, offshore and renewable energy sectors and provide commercial space for stakeholder businesses and start up businesses to establish.

The centre will have suitable facilities to allow the delivery of maritime courses in a professional and modern manner, helping to retain training and talent which is currently provided elsewhere or not yet identified by our local community as an opportunity. It will also support the wider community with access to co working spaces and the associated spending and investment benefits of a new flagship institution within the Town.”

Status : In progress (Whitby Town Deal), and expected to be complete by Jan 2027. It is still unknown if there will be any tenants then – see this link for the current lettings status.

Part of Whitby Blueprint 2021.

“The second phase of the Broomfields Farm development will deliver sixty carbon neutral homes with a range of sustainability features in the first zero carbon, community custom build housing scheme in Yorkshire. It is envisaged that custom build elements will be sourced via a locally established supply chain and vocational training in green construction skills will be aligned with apprenticeships offered through local contractors and the Construction Skills Village.

Working with its partners, the council also aims to encourage and facilitate the retrofitting of zero carbon technologies to its existing housing stock.”

Status : In progress (Whitby Town Deal). Expected to start construction (Brierley Homes) in late 2026 but substantially downgraded in scope with such as the allotments, community hub, and some aspects of the housing build (e.g reduced from 60 to 49 houses) being removed from the project to reduce costs.

Part of Whitby Blueprint 2021.

“The Wellbeing Centre will provide a range of activities for communities, extending the existing Eastside Community Centre. We will create a space for people to reconnect with themselves and with others. Expansion of this site provides a transformational opportunity to positively impact the lives of local residents, both new and existing, through an integrated wellbeing offer. Extending room capacity will help to provide bookable space for educational, mental health, maternity and family crisis support to those who require it. It will also offer space for Whitby Boxing Club and a community café. It will help to provide a flagship community offering for the Town, as well as providing a welcoming facility for visitors to the area.”

Status : Complete (Whitby Town Deal).

Part of Whitby Blueprint 2021.

“Expanding the Pannett Art Gallery will provide opportunities to showcase a greater depth of materials and exhibitions, which will broaden its appeal to both visitors and the local community. Additional facilities will accommodate study and learning spaces and will increase opportunities for educational activities and engagement. We hope to establish a Government Indemnity Scheme approved space which will enable the loan and display of art works from national collections, bringing regional status and importance to the Pannett Gallery.”

Status : No change. 

Part of Whitby Town Investment Plan 2026.

“In line with the North Yorkshire Council Harbours Strategy and Beyond the Shoreline report. A programme of investment coordinated across the public, private and third sector can enhance maritime skills and career pathways. Boost innovation and productivity. Create lasting improvements to maritime buildings, facilities, and infrastructure. As well as reducing the carbon footprint of the harbour and generate sustainable opportunities for fresh and saltwater leisure experiences. This will be a shared and ongoing endeavour broken into a range of projects and opportunities as funding becomes available.”

Status : No change.

Part of Whitby Town Investment Plan 2026.

“In line with the North Yorkshire Housing Strategy. This project will aim to increase the level of local occupancy of housing in Whitby and to also increase the affordability of rental and purchasing homes in the area. Proactively explore and promote a diverse range of innovative and creative solutions to deliver housing solutions with the community and other providers.”

Status : No change.

Part of Whitby Town Investment Plan 2026.

“In line with the North Yorkshire Council Climate Change Strategy. This project will explore potential for solar, tidal and wave energy generation within Whitby to maximise the benefit from the natural resources available locally, and to reduce carbon output and reliance on fossil fuels.”

Status : No change.

Part of Whitby Town Investment Plan 2026.

“This programme will ensure that Whitby’s young people and adults have the digital, AI and technology-enabled skills required to compete in a global economy and support higher value employment opportunities, entrepreneurship, and business growth. The project has the potential to align skills provision with current and future labour market demand.

The opportunity focusses on prioritising practical, future facing capability, such as digital application, data literacy, AI -enabled productivity and remote working, rather than duplicating existing provision.

By improving access to relevant skills, technology and progression pathways, the programme will strengthen workforce participation, productivity, and resilience, enabling Whitby to retain talent, attract new economic activity and make a meaningful, regional, and local impact.”

Status : No change.

Part of Whitby Town Investment Plan 2026.

“This project will aim to develop West Cliff into an activity Hub for everyone. It will be developed alongside the skatepark, and could include family areas, food and beverage offers and explore other activities such as climbing or fitness opportunities.”

Status : No change.

Part of Whitby Town Investment Plan 2026.

“The regeneration of Baxtergate is likely to be delivered through a recently formed group of local businesses. An application was recently submitted, and awarded, grant funding from the Combined Authority. This could form the first phase of a more significant delivery package”.

Status : No change.

Part of Whitby Town Investment Plan 2026.

“This project will explore opportunities to create start up units or shared business spaces which will function as a stepping stone for young companies to establish and grow. This may include serviced offices, coworking spaces, light industrial units and meanwhile use of vacant spaces”.

Status : No change.

Part of Whitby Town Investment Plan 2026.

“Exploring opportunities to attract more public and private health care services to Whitby, in partnership with Public Health, the NHS and the broader health ecosystem to better use what is already in the town and add value where possible”.

Status : No change.

Part of Whitby Town Investment Plan 2026.

“In line with the Economic Growth Strategy and Healthy High Streets report. This project includes upgrading public realm, reviewing how spaces are used across the town and reducing vacancy rates across Whitby”.

Status : No change.

Part of Whitby Town Investment Plan 2026.

“This project will aim to develop existing or create new natural or semi-natural areas across Whitby that improve biodiversity, climate resilience, and access to nature. Including the sustainable management of footfall in sensitive environments”.

Status : No change.

Part of Whitby Town Investment Plan 2026.

“In line with existing strategy at a local and regional level, Whitby has a wide range of potential improvements available to its transport, parking, and connectivity. There are a range of such improvements, and the Council will work collaboratively with a range of stakeholders to find the balance of sustainable tourism with a functioning community”.

Status : No change.

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