RNLI station bid approved

Scarborough Council has granted planning permission for the extension of the Filey RNLI lifeboat station, despite concerns from councillors and the public.

At a meeting of the planning and development committee, councillors voted in favour of allowing the extension subject to a change in the plans.

According to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution’s application, the 2.6m seawards extension is required for its 10-minute launch target to be met.

However, at a previous meeting of the planning committee in August, councillors decided to defer their decision until they could visit the site.

Councillors suggested that the extension would severely limit vehicular access at Coble Landing and would create a “conflict” between pedestrians and drivers.

They also raised several concerns about a proposed side access door to the lifeboat station which some members suggested would “restrict the business and profitability” of the adjacent business.

Speaking at the meeting, Cllr Mike Cockerill said: “As I’ve previously declared, I do have a personal interest in this application.

"I have supported Filey lifeboat for well over 60 years and my wife is secretary to the Filey Women’s Lifeboat Guild, which raises a tremendous amount of money for the lifeboat station.

“But I have to look further than the RNLI, I have to look at the wider picture, particularly in relation to the operation of Coble Landing and most importantly, to the safety of all those using Coble Landing.”

Cllr Cockerill proposed that the committee vote in favour of refusing the plans but as no one seconded his proposal, it was not voted on.

Councillors suggested that the extension would severely limit vehicular access at the landing and would create “conflict” between pedestrians and drivers.

Councillors also raised concerns about a proposed side access door to the lifeboat station which some members suggested would “restrict the business and profitability” of the adjacent business.

After a lengthy discussion, the committee voted in favour of granting planning permission subject to “omission of the side door” and agreed that the council “writes to the Harbour Master to raise the wider issue of the management of Coble Landing”.