A £2.8M harbour development has been scrapped after it was described as a carbuncle by thousands of objectors.

The redevelopment of the marina at Whitby, North Yorkshire, has been sent back to the drawing board after Scarborough Borough councillors voted to halt the work.

Parts of the project where work has begun, including a pontoon bridge, electrical and water points and riverbank stabilisation, will be completed.

But other elements, including a controversial water resource centre with showers, toilets, a launderette, function room, business units and caf, will not go ahead.

The centre had been condemned as a "carbuncle" by objectors, who said it was too large and would have dominated the harbour. Those who opposed the scheme, and who collected a 2,500-name petition, also said that business units should be on an industrial estate and not at the marina.

Whoops of joy and cries of "thank you" greeted the council's decision, which followed a heated meeting on Monday.

The move means that European funding will no longer be sought, but £156,000 from Yorkshire Forward will be kept and added to £1.3m from the council to complete work already under way.

Further consultation will be held in the town to discuss a new direction for the improvement of the harbour.

Following the meeting, Councillor Jane Kenyon, who represents Whitby and backed the objectors, said: "I want to thank the council on behalf of the people of Whitby for what you have done here today."

Initial plans to redevelop the marina were rejected in 2005 but an amended scheme was put forward last year. Supporters said that it would boost tourism and aid the local economy.

In May, the Local Government Ombudsman cleared the council of any wrongdoing following claims that it had failed to consult properly over the proposals.