A council has been warned it may have to pay back £1.3million if it privatises a beach park.

The park, at Grays Beach, could be handed over to private enterprise after a best value review.

But the Cory Environmental Trust, which has poured more than £1million into the venture, may ask Thurrock Council for its money back if the privatisation goes ahead.

The trust has a legal agreement that the money would have to be returned if the council no longer runs the beach.

When the cabinet discussed the issue, Grays Riverside councillor John Kent said: "I have grave concerns about this. Grays Beach is one of the success stories from this authority in recent years."

But Peter Maynard, the cabinet member for neighbourhoods, said it was the review's job "to explore all the options".

Trust secretary Geoff Howell said: "I returned from holiday and heard about this. I contacted the council. It would have been nice to have been consulted."

Under the rules, £1.3million would have to be returned to the trust if the park was privatised, he added.

Published Tuesday August 20, 2002

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