A LANDLORD has slammed the 'masterplan' which Lancaster City Council believes will put Morecambe back on its feet.

Michael Davenport, a member of the Morecambe Landlords Association, says the Morecambe action plan is being forced forward without regard to the people who live in the resort.

Mr Davenport owns two properties on Chatsworth Road that he says have been earmarked for demolition in the draft plan.

"I will get compensation for the buildings but I am going to lose my business and I'm not going to get any compensation for that," he says.

"But one of my main concerns is for my tenants who will be left with nowhere to go. In total there are about 2,000 people around here who will be displaced and there does not seem to be any sort of provision to help them out."

He says he understands that the West End needs regeneration but believes the council is going about it the wrong way and has handled the situation 'extremely badly'.

"Most of the landlords around here have spent money putting in double glazing and central heating and trying to do the best we can," says Mr Davenport.

He also tries to vet his tenants but says he struggles because of the Data Protection Act. And he is concerned that unemployed people and pensioners are being pushed out to make room for families.

But Morecambe and Lunesdale MP Geraldine Smith says that is not the case.

"I know of Mr Davenport's property and I do know that there has been some problems with anti-social behaviour there," she told the Citizen.

"However, if his tenants are worried then I will be more than happy to speak to them and Mr Davenport as a businessman, even though he lives in the Blackpool area."

Lancaster City Council has yet to agree the draft plan which will determine which houses are compulsory purchased and bulldozed.

Ms Smith says this is causing worry among local people but advice and help cannot be dished out until the plans are 'concrete'.

"The masterplan is there to lift the West End and while people who are affected need to be kept informed we are in a period of limbo at the moment. As soon as it is then an office will be set up with a team to answer questions."

A spokesman for Lancaster City Council says: "When the Masterplan has gone through the approval process we will write to everyone involved and explain what will happen.

"With respect to individual tenants, the council has undertaken to help find alternative accommodation and will develop individual plans for everyone.

While we appreciate that this is a difficult time, we are very eager to offer assurances that we will work closely with everyone involved."