A deadline for bids to develop the former Frontierland fairground site in Morecambe has been reached.
Lancaster City Council, owners of the derelict site on Marine Road East, will now look at the 'expressions of interest' they have received, and decide what the land will be used for in future - with what a leading councillor described as a "proper consultation process".
Councillor Kevin Frea, deputy leader of the council, revealed at a meeting on Wednesday that a window for bids by potential developers recently closed.
He said the council officers were "evaluating the proposals" and the council cabinet would "start to be presented with recommendations soon" on what could happen to the land, which has been derelict since the Wild West theme park closed in 2000.
Councillor Frea said that having paid to buy the land in 2021, the council was "keen to get some return" on their investment because "the council can't afford not to balance its costs on the site".
He also said the council wanted to ensure there was "a proper consultation process", that the site "provides amenities for Morecambe" and is "used in a way that is what residents want".
Councillor Frea also said it was still "early days" in the process.
He was replying to a question about the status of Frontierland by Councillor Roger Cleet, independent councillor for Heysham North ward, at the meeting of full council held at Morecambe Town Hall on Wednesday evening.
Lancaster City Council asked for potential developers to come forward in September, and contractors moved in to secure and level the land.
At the time, Councillor Tricia Heath, cabinet member for economic recovery, said: “The Frontierland site is a key site for the renaissance of Morecambe and finding a solution for it is one of the council’s key priorities.
“We are keen to ensure that we examine all the available options so we can make a fully informed decision. Through this expression of interest process we will be able determine the level of interest in the site, which for the right developer represents an amazing opportunity.
“This is very much the first stage on what promises to be an exciting journey of developing proposals which will benefit the local community and returning the site to productive use after so many years of dereliction.”
The council purchased the land for around £3.5m. It was previously owned by supermarket chain Morrison's.
The Promenade site is one of the town's biggest eyesores and local people have been hoping to see it developed for many years.
In that time, two planned retail-led developments of the site have fallen through.
Potential developers have been showing an interest in the site this year, and it was revealed in June that a number of hotels had come forward.
Frontierland Wild West theme park opened in 1987 and prior to that the land was home to the Morecambe Pleasure Park fairground.
Related Story: Proposals wanted for future of Frontierland site in Morecambe - Beyond Radio
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