A FYLDE Council u-turn on plans to scrap a historic St Annes landmark have been described as a 'cynical ploy' by a local support group.

Supporters of Ashton Gardens (SOAG) have labelled the decision to abandon plans to sell the land under the Ashton Institute building, as 'local government double speak'.

Earlier this year the 89-year-old timber-framed building was deemed to be a health and safety hazard too dangerous to be restored.

Cash raised from the sale of the site was initially going to be used as match funding for a £2m heritage lottery bid to restore the Grade II listed park.

But - after consulting leading historic building architects - Fylde Borough Council has pledged to try to restore and move the timber-framed building to another spot in the park.

A council spokesman said: "The report acknowledges the council's attempts over many years to find a suitable use for the building, and recommends relocation for the Institute.

"It proposes moving the Ashton Institute nearer to the St George's Road entrance and suggests the building should encompass a new role as the front door to Ashton Gardens.

"The report concludes that it would be technically feasible to move and reuse the building."

The council will now re-advertise its intention to dispose of the land over the next few weeks.

But SOAG chairman, Fred Moor, has criticised the latest development over the future of Ashton Gardens.

Mr Moor said: "It's a positive note that the future of the Institute building looks a little more secure.

"But the fact that park land is still up for grabs speaks volumes for the council's attitude towards this important slice of local heritage. Last May we held a referendum over plans to sell Ashton Park lands and 94 per cent of the St Annes residents who took part were against this.

"It is very difficult to trust what Fylde Council is saying these days. They claim to be saving the Institute by moving it, but really they just want to sell the land underneath it.

"It doesn't need to be moved - it can be saved where it is.

"Once part of the gardens is sold, they are no longer original, and they start on a slippery slope that could lead to other parts of them being sold in the future."

Fylde Council leader, Cllr John Coombes, said: ''The issue over the sale of land from within Ashton Gardens has been debated long and hard by the Council and by the community.

"The Council decided four years ago to dispose of the land on which the Institute lies and we still intend to do so.

''But we have listened to what people have had to say, and many have indicated that they would like to see the Institute retained.

"This report has highlighted an opportunity for us to save and restore the building and give it a new lease of life as a centrepiece of the park.

"We will do all we can to retain it."

Members of the SOAG executive committee are now due to meet to discuss the council proposals on Friday.