Post-war asbestos bungalows to make way for new homes

Three asbestos bungalows will be demolished in Scarborough to make way for a terrace of eight new homes after plans were approved by the borough council.

The demolition was approved by the authority’s planning and development committee.

The approved plans from Thompson Property Ltd propose eight two-bedroom, twostorey dwellings at the site on 55-59 Commercial Street in Scarborough.

Cllr Jane Mortimer said: "I can understand the three bungalows need to go, it’s asbestos and they were probably built just after the war.”

She queried whether the new homes meet building regulations and have sufficient floor space as “they are fairly tight together”.

A council officer told the meeting that the plans are in compliance with nationally prescribed space standards and are of a reasonable size.

Although a council report deemed the bungalows to be unfit for habitation, a council officer said that two of the properties are currently occupied while one was vacant.

The proposal received four objections from members of the public. One affected resident said: “I object strongly to this development. The prefabs are of cultural significance to the street which is of mixed housing, they represent the history of the street.”

Concerns were also raised about limited parked, building disruption and asbestos.

Cllr Phil Kershaw said the bungalows were built after the bombing of Commercial Street, which killed four women and three children, and asked if that could be recognised, possibly with a plaque.