A historic wharf in the heart of Leigh could be handed over to the town.

Leigh Town Council is bidding to take over the lease of Strand Wharf - a landmark owned by Southend Council.

Under the proposals, the town council wants to take over management of the 125-year lease but any future developments would have to be referred to Southend Council.

A full document outlining the plans has been drawn up and is due to be discussed by Southend Council in the new year.

Strand Wharf was until recently owned by local businessman John Cross.

He had originally intended to build his new £2million Boatyard restaurant on the wharf but the plan provoked an outcry from campaigners who called for the landmark to be protected.

Mr Cross eventually built his high-class restaurant at Mike's Boatyard but the plan had already spurred the formation of the Strand Wharf Steering Committee, made up of interested parties and representatives from Leigh, who wanted to safeguard the wharf for the future.

Geoff Fulford, Leigh Town Council's clerk, said: "The steering group wanted to try to find ways to protect the future of Strand Wharf."

Mr Fulford added: "What the group hopes to achieve on Strand Wharf is an attractive open space which is available to the public."

The town council's leisure foreshore and environment committee will debate the plans at a meeting tonight (Thursday).

If they get the go-ahead from Southend Council in January, the town council will then begin applying for grants to cover some of the project's costs.

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