Urban Splash drop plans to regenerate Morecambe promenade

A multi-million pound scheme to regenerate Morecambe promenade has been shelved by developers.

Urban Splash has dropped plans to build shops, flats and a hotel on the seafront, Lancaster City Council (LCC) has said.

In February, LCC rejected a third planning application for the scheme over doubts about its viability.

The authority said it was now "moving on" with new plans for Morecambe including the Central Promenade.

'Wrong scheme'

Councillor Janice Hanson, the cabinet member for planning, said the scheme was "no longer viable or deliverable" following the recession.

She said: "Given the prominence and importance of the site, the planning committee felt if the scheme was approved it would lead to a further period of uncertainty and undermine the regeneration of the town."

Ms Hanson said the authority would work with partners to come up with a new vision for the town.

Chair of Bay Tourism Suzy Bunting said it was "disappointing" a compromise had not been reached but admitted it was probably the "wrong scheme in the wrong place".

The Manchester-based developers, who refurbished the Midland Hotel in 2008 which is close to the 18.5 acre (7.5 hectare) site, had said the scheme would "revitalise" the town.

It first applied for planning permission in 2007 then submitted revised applications in 2010 and 2012.

A spokeswoman for Urban Splash said they believe Morecambe "is a great town with great potential" and it is "very proud of the restoration of the Midland Hotel."

She said: "We believe that Morecambe has much more potential and that it can and should regenerate itself to become the 'Brighton of the North'. Brighton reinvented itself to be 'London-on-Sea'. We believe Morecambe has great potential to do the same.

"We wish the town the very best and will continue to be enthusiastic visitors."