THE regeneration of a historic quayside in Whitby has been completed - having uncovered evidence of a medieval settlement in the area.

Evidence of medieval and Tudor housing and parts of an ancient harbour wall were uncovered during the complex and sensitive scheme in New Quay Road in the building.

An excavation by York Archaeological Trust concluded that pottery found nearby suggested medieval houses once backed onto the site from Baxtergate, which dates back to the 12th Century.

The excavation concluded that the ancient harbour wall dates from the 13th Century.

As the former wall was built further back than the current harbour wall, it is thought that the river used to be far wider than today.

Three shops and 15 harbourside apartments have been created at the development on a former filling station site, in New Quay Road, by Severfield Reeve Projects, of Thirsk.

Ten of the one and two-bedroom apartments, which range from 600sq ft to 920sq ft, have been sold on 250-year leases and two of the retail units, which range in size from 1,900sq ft to 3,900sq ft have been let. One retail unit of 3,900sq ft is still available.

The two-year scheme was carried out for W Eves and Company, which was founded on the site in 1935 but which has recently relocated to Whitby Business Park.

Owner-manager David Duke said: "This was not a cheap or easy site to develop. There were serious issues around the foundations and architecturally it had to be modern but in keeping with the rest of this picturesque town."