Scarborough Borough Council’s ongoing procrastination in engaging with local residents and business of the North Bay has led to Benchmark biting back…
“Abbey Commercial, Benchmark’s parent company, which is the guarantor under the lease, is defending the claim in full.
Benchmark says it is also considering what action to take over the council “reneging on its promises” to allow it to finish off the remaining agreed developments on the North Bay site, which would allow it to recover “substantial costs” from delivering the beach management centre, open air theatre and waterpark.
The council borrowed £4m from the Public Works Loan Board in 2015 to part fund the waterpark. The accounts state it is owed £8.41m.
Audit committee chair Coun Andrew Backhouse, said the waterpark may end up being operated by the council, but they “very rarely make money” and would need subsidising.
He suggested the Cabinet could have taken a different view in the light of the pandemic. He said: “Sometimes they look at things in a very black and white way and commercial viability and deliverability is not always black and white.”
Benchmark described the council’s legal action as “very surprising” given Government guidelines on rent deferrals during the pandemic and its “well publicised deferments of rent” for example with the Travelodge. The hotel was bought by the council in 2018.
A statement said: “The proceedings issued by SBC relate to the recovery of rent due by Benchmark during Covid from Abbey Commercial Investments Limited, Benchmark’s parent company and guarantor under the lease.
“Benchmark and Abbey have contested the claim as Benchmark was assured by the Council that all rent due during Covid would be deferred, to be recovered in full over future years.
“In reliance of these assurances, Benchmark has financially supported the struggling water park to see it through the crisis and even invested more money in improvements to ensure a full re-opening was possible in May this year.
“The Council has repaid this by issuing costly proceedings in court for immediate payment of all the rents due in full.”
The statement from Scarborough Council added that they “follow the principles contained within our treasury management strategy to minimise our borrowing costs”.”
Following an application to install some bit part mechanics along the North Bay promenade, Benchmark (the original version) have kindly provided us with some maps.
An application to provide the North Bay with ‘penthouse’ apartments, has put the local Council under further pressure to, make their intentions known:
Meanwhile:
“A procurement exercise to appoint a consultant team to assist the Council with developing a new and holistic masterplan for the North Bay area is now at its conclusion. Subject to contract, activity will commence in November with member, stakeholder and community consultation being one of the first tasks undertaken. It is the target to have a draft masterplan prepared for consideration by members by March 2022.”
However, it was reported that:
“Councillors will be asked to progress the demolition plans at a meeting next Thursday when details of the works will be set out.
This will involve the removal of asbestos from the building, as well as the demolition of foundations and the pool structure. A report to the meeting said the pool had become “unkempt” since it fell into disuse and that it is not considered to be of any “architectural or townscape merit”.
If approved, the nearby Northstead Upper car park would remain open throughout the demolition works. The plans are part of a wider regeneration scheme for Scarborough’s North Bay, known as the Sands development.”
At the Planning & Development meeting of 4th November 2021, substitute Councillors were brought in to push through the demolition of the Ryndle Crescent Indoor Pool.
Oddly, give or take a few moments: “While no final location has been determined, she is enthusiastic about creating a space in the North Bay. Residents can make their views known by making a visit to the climbing wall or emailing mel@cavca.org.uk”
I can inform you that the demolition process has started, albeit rather slowly….
So it looks like the North Bay will be looking to find a new Community Hub…. or alternatively make their views known by making a visit to the climbing wall or emailing mel@cavca.org.uk“
The North Bay wider Consultation is due to start in November 2021…
North Bay Action Group 