Whitby housing plans withdrawn following objections
There were objections over highway, flooding, and design concerns
Last updated 21st Jan 2026
Plans to build five homes at the site of an industrial unit next to a key bridge in North Yorkshire have been withdrawn following several objections.
The proposal would have seen the construction of houses on a site next to Spital Bridge, Whitby, but was met with recommendations to refuse the scheme over highway, flooding, and design concerns.
Plans indicate that the site is situated at a lower level than the bridge and is accessible by passing underneath it via an archway that connects to California Road on the east side of the bridge.
Despite amendments to the scheme, including a reduction in the number of dwellings from eight to five, the applicant decided to withdraw the plan.
The scheme, proposed by ICP (Heckmondwike) Ltd, was first submitted to the council in 2020.
The Local Highway Authority said it was concerned that the development might “hinder its ability to access and maintain the bridge structures and retaining structures that it is responsible for, as the design shows no space between the buildings and the structures.”
It added: “The authority considers that the proposed use of five dwellings would generate more traffic using the junction with the public highway, Spital Bridge, than the current permitted use.”
Whitby Town Council said the scheme represented an overdevelopment and would be “out of character with the area”, as well as raising concerns about highways, access, and community safety.
A flood risk assessment submitted by the applicant “concluded that there is a risk of flooding from tidal sources to the ground floor part of the development, which is a low-risk use”, but suggested that proposed mitigation measures would “reduce the risk to the development to an acceptable level”.
However, the Environment Agency said: “We object to the proposed development as it falls within a flood risk vulnerability category that is inappropriate to the Flood Zone in which the application site is located.”
“The application is therefore contrary to both the National Planning Policy Framework and planning practice guidance,” it added.
The developer’s plans stated that its potential impacts had been considered and “appropriately addressed” and presented “no insurmountable constraints”.
However, the applicant informed North Yorkshire Council that it was withdrawing the proposal on Monday, January 19.