Charter is still relevant 20 years on

Michael Knaggs, Prince of Wales Terrace, Scarborough

Twenty years ago, in May 2002, Scarborough Council published a formidable blueprint for a future town called the ‘Scarborough Renaissance Charter.’

It was a well produced and thoughtful publication and followed considerable public engagement and information gathering.

Key themes included ‘Developing a framework for quality public space’ ‘Delivering culturally-led regeneration’ and, ‘Diversifying the economy, attracting inward investment, delivering quality services.’ All worthy and admirable.

In the two decades since the charter was published, a great many changes have taken place, mostly for the better and this has been particularly evident especially during the past few years as the town begins using the various regeneration grants awarded for exactly these sorts of initiatives.

From the charter I quote. ‘Visitors and residents agree that the strength of Scarborough lies in both its natural and built environment, yet too many facilities, attractions, buildings and streets could be of a much better standard...’. One can’t argue with that.

When the developers first submitted their proposal in 2019 for the old Argos building, why wasn’t the actual look of the building seen as a prerequisite? This sort of lack of understanding of the very fabric of the town at the beginning of a project surely goes against one of those hard won Charter foundations?

What is actually built on the Argos site has to be commercially viable but it must also reflect the heritage and build of the surrounding area and, most importantly, look very good. Is this too much to ask? Only a few years ago, something similar happened when, at the very last minute, The Scarborough Archaeological & Historical Society succeeded in preventing the demolition of the now beautifully restored facade of the old Conservative Club on Huntriss

Row with a council approved redevelopment by Premier Inns.

The look and feel of the rejected Argos proposal was entirely and depressingly wrong and the council was right to halt its go-ahead.

The principles of that 2002 Scarborough Renaissance Charter remain as valid now as they were then. With the Argos site, Scarborough has to get this important redevelopment absolutely right.

Argos site:

The principles of that 2002 Scarborough Renaissance Charter remain as valid now as they were then. MICHAEL KNAGGS