We should have built flats, says council leader

He said: "We should not be in this position. We should be celebrating the opening of a new landmark block of flats rather than lamenting the sad end of a building which was decaying and empty for years and only remained that way because people stood in the way of progress for no good reason."

Cllr Gubby was a staunch supporter of plans in 2001 to demolish the already-derelict Grand and replace it with a new residential development. The plans were scuppered when the Old Town Preservation Society, acting independently, was granted Grade II listed status for the building.

Cllr Gubby added: "I met with the owner Derek Smith over the weekend and I feel desperately sorry for the guy. Here was a man from out of town prepared to invest money in a project which would regenerate the area. Now it could be months, years before anything happens.

"We will need to get a structural survey and it will be judged as to whether all or part of the building has to be demolished or not as the case may be. It's too early to say what's going to happen, but the owner is concerned the heritage people will serve a notice requiring him to restore it.

"I'm a great believer in restoring what we can of our heritage, but should we conserve things and store them in formaldehyde for no good reason and with no practical benefit to society? That's what's happened here, and why we've ended up in this mess."

"What really frustrates me is that it was only when someone wanted to do something practical to rejuvenate the site that people started bleating about restoration and preservation.

"Why did those same people not campaign to restore The Grand when it was in a fit state to be restored, rather than watching it decay for years?

"If it's decided that some of the building can be safely saved and must be restored we could end up with another West Pier here, that's why I'm so bitterly disappointed."