PLANS to transform Southport’s Pleasureland site in an £80m development have been abandoned.

The proposals, which were announced in March 2008, were intended to kick-start the “reinvention of the seaside resort”.

Developers Urban Splash and Sefton council, which own the site, have now decided to go their own separate ways after the viability of the project was hit by the recession.

And council leader Peter Dowd admits there is nothing planned in the future for the key site, which once harboured so much hope for the resort.

Cllr Dowd said the £17m Southport Arts Centre development is the last big project the town will see for some time.

He said: “That is going to be the last development Sefton does as a council for anything like the foreseeable future. If you asked me whether I can see a moderately sized £5m project, no I can’t because there is no money around.

“There has been some significant investment in Southport in recent years but I don’t see anything on the horizon regrettably.”

Since the Urban Splash plans were announced the Vincent Hotel and Neptune Development’s Waterfront complex on the Promenade have opened.

But Neptune has struggled to find occupiers for its £30m project.

The Pleasureland project is just one of a number that Urban Splash was forced to abandon after the full force of the credit crunch and ensuing recession hit the company.

The plans for the Pleasureland site were due to include an outdoor heated swimming pool and an expanded marine lake and a winter garden, all housed under a landmark atrium inspired by the Eden Project.

The Southport Marine Park idea involved using a combination lighting and heating system with excess water used to fill a lido-style outdoor pool.

The axed scheme was also due to include at least two hotels offering traditional accommodation alongside serviced apartments and houses to let.

The recent history of the site has been one of uncertainty.

Former owners Pleasureland Ltd closed in 2006 after 93 years in the town. A year later Sefton council bought the site for £7.25m and soon afterwards announced the partnership with Urban Splash.

Keen to make sure the site did not sit idle Norman Wallis, managing director of Dreamstorm, was handed a lease to operate the New Pleasureland funfair.

Mr Wallis has four years left to run on his lease and has plans to expand the funfair.

Next week: Urban Splash chief executive Jonathan Falkingham speaks out on its future on Merseyside