THE SAIL hotel project in West Kirby - recommended to be “postponed” for 18 months - has instead been given a further six months to find funding.

Wirral Council’s ruling cabinet committee last week rejected advice from civic officers to cancel a “lock in” agreement with developers Carpenter Investments, who have yet to secure the £7.5m needed to build the hotel and a new sailing school.

Carpenter have told the council they would be happy to build the new sailing school this year - at a cost to them of £1.5m - and build the hotel later.

But the council is insisting that the whole project must be completed as one - and have now given the developers a further six months to come up with the necessary funding.

The hotel is the brainchild of West Kirby businessman Alan Beer, who welcomed the cabinet’s decision.

“I’m delighted that we are able to continue to work with the council on what is a very exciting and imaginative scheme for West Kirby,” he said.

“We’ve co-operated and consulted all along with this project and we’ll continue to do so. This was a very positive decision by cabinet.”