Legal experts are poised to launch "extremely vigorous action" to snatch back the former AMF bowling alley site on Southend Pier.

The borough's nine-member cabinet was expected to back new measures today (Tuesday) to end the bitter deadlock with the global leisure company.

Officials hope to come to an early financial settlement with AMF, leaving the bowling alley platform in the council's hands.

The prime site would then form the centrepiece of the emerging strategy shaping the future of the landmark.

The move, revealed in a report to today's cabinet, came amid heavy criticism of the council over its dealings with AMF.

The company had planned to hand over its lease to Southend-based JBR Leisure which hoped to build a crystal pavilion on the site of the old bowling alley.

However, the proposal collapsed, sparking a bitter war of words between AMF, JBR Leisure and Southend Council.

AMF later announced proposals to rebuild the Pavilion Lanes building exactly as it was prior to the 1995 fire which gutted the building.

In his report, Graham Swan, assistant director of corporate services said: "The council has already obtained counsel's advice about prosecuting the legal action against AMF and further advice is now being sought on recent developments.

"Counsel is also being requested to develop a strategy for executing extremely vigorous action in order to stop further prevarication by AMF and to give back control of this important part of the pier to the council so it may be incorporated in a coherent plan for the whole pier."

He vigorously refuted claims that Southend Council had attempted to "frustrate" JBR's proposals and that officials had not provided details about the structure of the pier.

He said: "Both AMF's claims against the council are unfounded. The council needs to regain the initiative.

"Counsel's advice should provide the strategy to put pressure on AMF with the view of seeking an early financial settlement to this action, leaving the council with possession of the vacant platform and the opportunities that presents for a coherent development of the whole pier."

Councillors were today due to decide the fate of the multi-million pound Swine roller-coaster plan for the end of Southend Pier after seeing the results of an independent investigation.

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