PLANS for a multi-million pound development which could regenerate a run down area of Grangeover-Sands have been submitted to South Lakeland District Council.

The ambitious proposals by Levens-based Priory Building aim to revamp the derelict nursery and car park at Berners Close.

Fears had been mounting among Grange traders and residents that a supermarket could be built on the site, following an SLDC retail study.

But SLDC's cabinet recommended on October 14 that all land use options be considered for the site after public consultation, and was not minded that the land be sold for use as a supermarket.

Priory Building's joint owners, Robin and Ian Sisson, want to buy the nursery site and build a high quality housing complex on it.

They also say they will build eight affordable homes between the nursery site and Berners Pool and lay the foundations for the regeneration of Grange's waterfront.

SLDC, Cumbria County Council and Grange Town Council have together been planning a dramatic revamp of the promenade, footbridges over the railway line and the old open air swimming pool called the Time and Tide Project.

The group aims to fund the plans with cash from the Heritage Lottery Fund and the North West Development Agency. An architect has already been commissioned and designs will be on public show in early November.

To help the promenade plans get under way, Robin Sisson said that Priory Building was ready to knock down the old pool building, and partially fund a new footbridge over the railway line.

"The old swimming pool has been derelict now for two or three years. This project would solve quite a few of the problems, in that it will tidy up the area and leave it clear on time for the Time and Tide Project," said Mr Sisson.

He added that he would also provide "a substantial" amount towards a £60,000 shortfall currently being experienced by Grange's Berners pool, by charging an annual ground rent on the high quality homes which would be bought on 999 year leases.

Berners Pool manager Anita Hargen said that she believed the plans would be "very favourable".

"Any help that we get at the moment would be good for the pool and for Grange," she said.

SLDC's regeneration officer David Sykes said he had received a number of inquiries from developers also interested in the site.

"This proposal shows how private investment would enable the Time and Tide Project," he said of the Priory Building proposal. But Mr Sykes stressed that the land would only be for sale after a detailed public consultation.

l The final report into proposals for Grange-over-Sands, which have gone under the name of the "three ps" public art, promenade and pool is to be unveiled next month. A public exhibition of the Time and Tide report will be staged from November 4 to 6 at the town's Victoria Hall.