A MULTI-MILLION pound mission to regenerate Heysham is under threat after the venture clashed with new planning guidelines.

The planned Heysham Mossgate scheme, which includes 400 homes, a library, doctor's surgery, police station and facilities for young people, has been blocked by the Secretary of State.

The Government has 'called in' the plan for review because it conflicts with new regional planning guidance which aims to avoid greenfield sites development.

Planning consent for MAC Construction to continue developing houses on Mossgate park has expired, meaning money made from the project and destined to be pumped into community facilities could now be at risk.

"A percentage of money from the sale of each house is put into a Mossgate Community Facilities Company Fund for the new project, and if the development stops then the funds will stop," says MAC Construction director Malcolm Townson.

"We are halfway through the project and have built about 300 out of the expected 700 houses. Although house prices have increased there would not be enough money to build the facilities without building the houses," he adds.

Mr Townson says a public inquiry will be held towards the end of the year and the outcome is 'in the lap of the gods'.

Heysham's Cllr Tina Clifford says the community facilities are crucial for residents, adding: "These are vital to the regeneration of Heysham and the threat of not building them is a real shock to the community."

Council leader Cllr Ian Barker supports the 'thrust' of the regional plan but says he is very concerned about the implications for the area.

"The project has taken longer to complete than envisioned and has now been caught by the change in planning policy, but the council will be making representations to the Government office to highlight that if we lose the ability to build the houses then we lose much-needed community facilities," he says.

Cllr Barker adds that the Cabinet will endeavour to ensure community facilities will be delivered for local residents.

Agreeing with the stricter planning guidelines, Green Cllr Jon Barry says there could be a middle way to solve the problem.

He says that rather than building on more greenfield land, money already gained should be used to build the best community facilities possible for the reduced number of houses.