Scarborough Sea Life Centre installs solar panels to help costs

A seaside aquarium will install almost 150 solar panels and a new roof to help reduce "significant" energy costs.

The upgrade to Scarborough's Sea Life Centre comes almost 12 months after the operator of Alpamare water park, Benchmark Leisure, went into administration in part due to rising energy costs.

North Yorkshire Council approved the application from Merlin Entertainments, which said the solar panels would not produce enough electricity to meet the building's requirements, but would "help to meet part of it".

Planning officers said the scale of the building "coupled with its year-round operation, as well as the increased energy costs in recent years" made it likely costs would be "significant".

Local Democracy Reporting Service, the North Bay Sea Life Centre was built in the 1990s and is well known for its distinctive pyramid design.

Some concerns were initially raised about the visual impact of the installation of the solar panels, especially when viewed from Royal Albert Drive and Marine Drive.

North Yorkshire Council acknowledged the panels would "alter the appearance of the building at a distance" but concluded the changes would not be harmful to the character of the area.

In addition to 147 solar panels, new metal walkways will also be installed on the roof to allow for maintenance.

According to submitted plans, the existing metal roof is currently in a "poor cosmetic condition" with visible corrosion, which is "likely due to the age of the building and also the coastal location of the site".

The report notes that the roof exterior has "reached the end of its life", having become "visibly dilapidated and in need of an overhaul".

North Yorkshire Council approved the changes to the "well-regarded tourist attraction" subject to conditions.

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