How do we save our resort?

Aug 9 2006 Wirral News

OPPOSING parties in New Brighton are hoping to reach an agreement this week on how to revive plans to regenerate the resort.

Neptune Developments' £73m scheme fell at the final hurdle last week after being refused planning permission by secretary of state Ruth Kelly.

Councillor Pat Hackett, cabinet member for regeneration, yesterday met with Leslie Parker Davies, chairman of the New Brighton Heritage Action Group as well as Doug Darroch, owner of Fort Perch Rock and other groups.

TheNew Brighton councillor said he was confident a compromise could be found to satisfy the concerns of objectors.

He told the News all sides were in agreement that the resort needed investment and said there was "common ground".

With the Neptune scheme criticised by government inspector Jill Kingaby for its impact on the historic fort and lighthouse, one option could be to move anydevelopment away from the Marine Lake and onto the site of the former open-air baths.

Cllr Hackett said: "There is common ground --people know what they want to see happen in New Brighton.

"I don't think those whosupported this scheme should feel despondent. I'm very confident thatsomething can be agreed butthere has to be compromise on all sides.

"Issues like the supermarket and marine lake have caused problems but I'm hopeful we can geteveryone to agreeonthe principles of the way forward."

Opposition groups had urged the council and Neptune to include them in talks about a revised scheme.

Neptune's managing director Steve Parry said common ground needed to be established quickly for new plans to be progressed.

He said: "While we remain mystified by a planning decision that is in direct conflict with the views of English Heritage and CABE, we do need to take account of this decision and begin working on a deliverable scheme that can guarantee a positive future for New Brighton.

"Our aim is to devise a scheme that can achieve the broadest possible degree of local support.

"This could be a positive opportunity to unite groups in NewBrighton and move the town forward."