New homes in Scarborough to go-ahead

Up to 40 new homes will be built in Scarborough as part of the multi-million pound Sands project in North Bay, after a new deal was struck to safeguard the future of the scheme.

Property developer Roland Duce's decision to buy Benchmark Leisure Limited has been welcomed by Scarborough Borough Council as "extremely positive", and one that will add "significant momentum" to the delivery of The Sands, which has already had an extremely positive impact on the area.

Duce has stepped in after the project ran into financial difficulty due to the global economic downturn and in 2008 plans to build 40 new homes and a small hotel on the former Kinderland site were put on hold.

The new owner of Benchmark now plans to take forward the development of the waterpark as a priority part.

Jim Dillon, Scarborough Borough council's chief executive, said: "This is fantastic news for both The Sands development and the wider borough.

"Scarborough's North Bay and indeed the whole area has already benefited hugely from the developments to date and we welcome this move as a major positive step and look forward to working with Roland, who we know well, and believe that he has the experience and capacity to drive through the other phases of the scheme."

Roland Duce added: "Benchmark has already achieved so much, including the superb sea front apartments and commercial lets, new and improved beach chalets, North Bay Railway facilities and the newly refurbished Open Air Theatre, so I am delighted to be able to continue this momentum.

"I am committed to working closely with the council and using my experience to deliver the other exciting parts of the scheme, including the waterpark, as one of our first priorities."