North Yorkshire Council has today (9 October 2026) granted planning permission for Filey Sea Cadets brand-new headquarters on the existing Southdene Pavilion site, marking a major milestone in a project that has been ten years in the planning.

Filey Sea Cadets is already recognised as one of the top five per cent performing Sea Cadet units in the UK. The decision paves the way for the replacement of the organisation’s home for 40-years with a modern Centre of Excellence for Sea Cadets, designed to provide first-class facilities for Filey’s young people and further strengthen the organisation’s position at a local, regional and national level.

To coincide with the announcement of the planning approval, Filey Sea Cadets is launching a major £3.5 million fundraising campaign. Significant early-stage funding has already been secured, but the Sea Cadets are now calling on the wider community, businesses, trusts and organisations to help progress the project.

The ambitious scheme, which has been designed specifically around the needs of modern Sea Cadet training, will transform the organisation's current headquarters and create a significant new community asset for the town.

Following a public consultation event in the summer attended by more than 100 local people, the project received overwhelming response from the community. 124 letters were submitted by local residents and prominent dignitaries in favour of the plans, demonstrating the value placed on the organisation within the town and its contribution to the prosperity of Filey.

The design has been carefully considered to ensure that the new building sits comfortably within the local streetscape, complementing the existing architecture of Filey and Southdene whilst providing state-of-the-art facilities.


Key elements of the scheme will include:
Improved facilities and modern accommodation that meet industry standards for training, communal activities and residential visits with 48-bed capacity dorms
Significantly improved accessibility for disabled cadets and volunteers with lift access
Storage to accommodate powerboats and parking for cars and two minibuses
Versatile multi-use community hall with modern AV equipment for hire.

Work will commence in November 2026, with clearance of the existing site. Building work is scheduled to begin in early 2027, with the new headquarters expected to be completed in Spring 2028, ahead of the start of the sailing season.

Steven Hopkinson, Chair of Filey Sea Cadets, said: “Filey Sea Cadets has been part of this community for generations and I’m incredibly proud of the young people, instructors, volunteers and supporters who have made the TS Unseen unit what it is today.

“This is a pivotal moment for us. Our existing building is no longer fit for purpose, and the new headquarters will provide facilities that reflect the dedication and commitment of everyone involved.

“Redeveloping the existing site was essential. Its central location means it remains accessible to young people across our community, allowing us to continue making a real difference – building confidence, leadership, resilience and valuable life skills.

“We’re not just preserving a legacy we’re creating the foundations for the next generation of Filey Sea Cadets.”

Kevin Hollinrake MP added: “I am delighted that plans for a new headquarters for Filey Sea Cadets have been given the green light. I have been closely involved in supporting this project and helping to move plans forward, so it is fantastic to see this important milestone reached.

“The new headquarters will be a tremendous asset for Filey, giving young people the opportunity to develop valuable skills, confidence and friendships. I look forward to continuing to support the project as it progresses and congratulate everyone who has worked so hard to get it to this stage.”

The 100-year-old building has played an integral role in Filey, having previously served as a theatre, flower hall and dance hall. For the past 40 years, as home to Filey Sea Cadets, it has provided the base from which the unit has developed into one of the top-performing Sea Cadet units in the UK.

The new facilities will allow the unit to expand its training, leadership development, sailing and other activities, while also creating opportunities to host regional training camps supporting visiting youth groups from across Yorkshire.