Ffrith Festival Gardens could be sold

The failed tourist attraction was built more than eight years ago by the now defunct Rhuddlan Borough Council.

Money ran out and attempts to regenerate the area came to an abrupt end.

Denbighshire County Council was set up in 1996, encompassing Rhuddlan, and now the local authority plans to sell the land to developers.

Prestatyn resident Sandra Pitt organised a public meeting on Tuesday to discuss its future.

The public should have a say on what the future of the festival gardens is Sandra Pitt

"Rhuddlan spent millions on building it, the council tax was put up to pay the debt back and we think the festival gardens belong to the public now," said Mrs Pitt, 57.

"I say the public should have a say on what the future of the Festival Gardens is.

"We've decided to form a committee and put a petition around."

In recent years the area, which includes a duck pond and children's play site, has fallen into disrepair.

A number of properties were built in the hope they would be let to boost the tourism economy, but they have never been put to use.

"The buildings should have been let at peppercorn rent but they've been left empty," said Mrs Pitt.

"I think it's eight years they've let it stand empty."

Housing

Mrs Pitt, who has lived in the area most of her life, feared developers would buy the land and build housing.

But Denbighshire County Council said that was not the case.

"Denbighshire can confirm that neither of the shortlisted proposals involves housing developments, and that both of them would retain at least some of the buildings and other features of the site, including public open space," it said.

The authority would not be drawn further, saying any discussions were confidential.

In July councillors agreed to spend �40,000 on measures to improve security and health and safety at the site.