MP's concern at '˜stalemate'

It comes after two schemes for apartment blocks, which would have seen nearly £20m ploughed into revitalising parts of the Promenade, failed to winning approval from the town’s planning committee.

A £12m scheme for 113 apartments at Harrow Place has now been shelved after councillors deferred the application amid concerns about the height of the proposal and lack of parking.

Last month a £7m application for 99 apartments on Wimbourne Place was refused.

Mr Marsden said: “I am concerned that in a month two major proposals to regenerate the frontage area of South Shore have for one reason or another not moved forward.

“I appreciate people living nearby have the absolute right to put their views forward strongly.

“But it does worry me if we cannot get some resolution which would enable major investments of this sort, which are coming from people with a track record in the town.

“It would be a bad thing if all the hard work of recent years, for example at Waterloo Road and the re-opening of the New Market, is jeopardised by a complete stalemate in improving the derelict areas on the seafront.

“We absolutely need a strategic approach to development that reflects local people’s interests and regenerates the town.

“Without that we will not see the situation improve.”