A PUBLIC meeting is to be held to discuss fears over plans to build fast food outlets, a cinema and bowling alley on a prime seafront site in Cleveleys.

There are fears that the plan, which would take in part of Jubilee Gardens, would bring traffic chaos to nearby roads and ruin one of the few public open spaces in the area.

The meeting is being organised by local councillors, Wayne and Penny Martin, who have invited the developers to explain their plans.

Cllr Wayne Martin said: "The land is an asset to all our community. It would be unrealistic to oppose any form of development out of hand. Cleveleys needs jobs and a sympathetic development could generate these but it must go hand-in-hand with protecting and enhancing the last open space in our town.

"The outline plans leave no provision for a park or any quality open space. As a Council it must be our duty to provide for the economic needs of our community, but we ignore the recreational needs of residents at our peril."

Cllr Penny Martin added: "In our role as elected representatives, we are organising this event so that all points of view may be heard.

This isn't a party political issue. It's a community issue. If the development goes ahead as proposed, all the Jubilee land will be lost forever."

One local resident, Tonia McDowell, of Carr Gate, added: "This will give everyone the chance to be heard. We need a park for the children. We can't possibly allow this to go ahead."

Local MP, Joan Humble, will chair the meeting, which takes place on Friday, July 18 at the United Reformed Church on Rossall Road, starting at 7.30pm

The plans for the 'leisure village' are on display at the Frank Townend Centre, Beach Road, Cleveleys and the civic centre at Breck Road, Poulton.

The company behind the proposals, Manchester based Property Alliance Group, want to build a hotel, cinema, bowling alley and three food outlets on land including part of Jubilee Gardens and nearby open land. The firm's past projects include the Odeon cinema and 'festival village' off Rigby Road, Blackpool.

Wyre Council has pledged to add information on the proposed sea defence works and a facelift for the promenade to the display as soon as they are available.