DIGGERS look one step closer to shifting mounds of rubble left after the demolition of Morecambe's funfair - but there are fears it will be bad for the resort.

A blueprint for shops, houses and a leisure centre at the former Frontierland site on the resort's promenade has met strong opposition.

An outline application by W M Morrisons and Blackpool Pleasure Beach for 125 apartments and 28 town houses - some of which will be affordable' - alongside shops including Homebase and JJB Sports was passed by Lancaster city councillors on Monday.

But local people say the scheme is not right for the resort.

A petition of 71 signatures was handed to the city by residents who do not want homes included in the scheme.

And Jim Catterall, of Morecambe Bay hoteliers, told the Citizen: "The problem is that the Frontierland area and the central promenade are the last two areas which can be used for leisure purposes.

"Having a hotel on the site is good because it is a leisure facility and it will help because there is not enough quality accommodation for the number of people who want to stay here."

He says there is already an oversupply of cheap housing in Morecambe and he worries that as soon as a developer gets the go-ahead, the first thing it will do is build homes.

"We want facilities to being the right sort of people and investment into Morecambe. It is a site for leisure facilities and should be kept that way. Perhaps a hotel, spa and other facilities for residents and tourists."

He goes on: "The council is selling off the family jewels and has not even consulted the people of Morecambe. Does it know where Morecambe is?"

Cllr David Kerr told the planning committee the scheme would place a death sentence on the resort.

"I am appalled and dismayed at this mixed use scheme. If shops and houses are the future of the resort then this will spell the end of tourism."

And Cllr Evelyn Archer said allowing shops to open on the promenade would be damaging.

"We are bending over back-ards to help developers make money by allowing apartments to be built," she added.

But head of planning Andrew Dobson said every seaside resort was obsessed with the good old days'.

"What we have to do is to change the nature of the resort and bring investment in to get rid of big gapping holes which makes the place look sad.

"Leaving this site as a hole is just as bad as leaving the Midland derelict. We have the opportunity to see investment here and if you say no to this development then it sends out the wrong message," he said.

It was back in 2002 that Morrison's unveiled a blueprint for a multi-million pound retail leisure complex with factory outlets and a landscaped plaza on Frontierland. It claimed it would generate £8 million worth of spin-off trade - and though city planners gave the go-ahead the scheme was dropped.