Ffrith Festival Gardens used to attract numerous holidaymakers

Ffrith Festival Gardens in Prestatyn used to be a thriving attraction which attracted thousands of visitors to its seaside fun fair and boating lake.

Plans to redevelop it as a festival garden ended when money ran out.

The gardens could now be redeveloped, but Denbighshire Council has struggled to find a developer for the site.

Now, 8,000 leaflets are being dropped around the area, asking people for their opinions.

The plans suggested so far include a DIY store, leisure facilities and new road access from the A548.

The majority of people want it for recreation, they want things for tourists and for people who live in Prestatyn Sophia Drew

Sophia Drew from the Prestatyn and District Environment Association has arranged the survey.

"I was a councillor for five years and I was the only voice that kept saying 'Do not sell the Ffrith'."

"I don't have to go by council policy anymore, so I've put my head above the parapet.

"The land could be sold for retail and then 10 years later it could be sold on for housing.

"The majority of people want it for recreation - they want things for tourists and for people who live in Prestatyn.

"They want shelters for people to sit in and for the gardens to be maintained and we need to improve children's play facilities."

Decision

The findings of the questionnaires will be collated by 31 August and sent to the local authority.

A spokesman for Denbighshire Council said a decision on the site's future had not yet been taken - it is expected that councillors will receive an update report in the autumn.

"Cabinet agreed in principal that the land should be sold for a non-retail development," he added.

"The council would retain ownership of a considerable part of the Ffrith, including the lake, pathways and access to the beach and dunes, as well as an area of land adjacent to the Bowls Centre."

A public consultation was carried out in the spring, in which members of the public were invited to have their say on proposals for the Ffrith.