Seaside arcade seeks approval for finished repairs

A seaside amusement arcade in North Yorkshire has applied for retrospective planning permission for building repairs already carried out.

The roof of Funland and Fun City Amusements on Whitby's Pier Road has been removed and replaced.

In an application to North Yorkshire Council, owner Mark Miller said the work was needed to protect the structure from repeated storm damage in the exposed location next to the harbour.

A planning statement said the site forms part of "a characteristic run of narrow 18th and 19th Century properties", with the street a popular spot with visitors to the town.

The application states the terrace retains "a strong historic form, consistent rooflines and the vertical rhythm typical of Whitby's coastal architecture", despite some alterations over time.

It adds the work was limited to replacing the roof covering only, with no changes to the building's size, footprint or use.

While the building itself is not listed, it sits next to 23 Pier Road, a Grade II listed property, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The roof's previous tiles were modern interlocking pantiles that had been replaced several times due to storm and salt damage, the applicant said.

Planning documents argue the tiles "had no historic value" and that replacing them did not harm the building's significance.

The replacement roof was designed to replicate the appearance of a traditional clay pantile "while providing substantially increased durability", it added.

North Yorkshire Council has not yet set a date to decide on the application.

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