MAJOR development companies are waiting in the wings to grab a lucrative slice of New Brighton's regeneration process, according to heritage campaigners - writes Geoff Barnes.

Wirral Council disclosed this week that approaches had been received from two top companies - the Iliad Group and Barratt Chester - seeking to secure a foothold in the resort's revival plans.

But New Brighton Heritage Group - long-standing opponents of the £70m Neptune resort revamp scheme - claim that no less than eight major development firms have responded to feelers put out by their solicitors.

Rod Hutchinson, the heritage group's planning consultant, said: "We wrote to leading developers in the Northwest and we had an incredible response. Some of the names involved are quite amazing."

He went on: "We believe the council has taken a very passive role in promoting New Brighton over the years; they tended to wait for developers to approach them. There was a clear indication from developers that New Brighton's opportunities had never been advertised; and that the lock-out agreement with Neptune had deterred any approach.

"In view of the major potential interest in investment in the town that has now been demonstrated by the heritage group, it would be entirely inappropriate to continue to stifle alternative - and possibly better renewal proposals - by extending the lock-out agreement with a single company."

Pat Hackett, New Brighton councillor and council cabinet member for economic regeneration, said: "New Brighton has been marketed nationally and internationally for more than ten years and no developer of any standing has come forward except Neptune.

"Within the last week or so officers have received approaches from two other interested parties stating they would be interested in becoming involved in New Brighton.

"A report to Thursday night's council cabinet meeting contains a clear recommendation that the lock-out agreement with Neptune should be extended.

"Both I and the New Brighton community fully support this after four years of the company putting together a scheme of this magnitude."

Cllr Hackett said he felt it was too late in the day for the council to switch mounts over New Brighton's regeneration. "Neptune have put in a lot of hard work," he said. "They have been transparent and open from the start."

Tomorrow night's cabinet meeting will study a report from deputy chief exec-utive Jim Wilkie pressing for the lock-out agreement with Neptune to be extended. The agreement expired on March 31.

The company has asked for the lock-out concession to be extended until July 31. Their full planning application is likely to go before the local authority in May or June.

Mr Wilkie has indicated to the cabinet that both Iliad and Barratt have been invited to submit proposals, but they have been advised that while all proposals will be considered strictly on merit, the "bird in the hand" principle would carry a lot of weight.