Southend Council was in shock yesterday after a £12 million bid for lottery cash to revamp the Cliffs Pavilion collapsed.

The devastating news was revealed by Arts Council chief executive Peter Hewitt as he announced a £269 million boost for arts projects across the country.

Southend Council was reflecting on what could have been at the Cliffs - a millennium theatre designed to attract the cream of West End and touring shows.

Questions were also set to be asked as to why the Arts Council awarded the borough more than £850,000 to work up detailed proposals for the scheme. It had given "every encouragement" to the council in the past over its proposals.

Director of leisure services, John Dallaway said: "The council is very disappointed to have received the news that our bid for the Cliffs Pavilion from the Arts Council's capital programme will not be considered any further under this scheme.

"At the moment, we have no details as to why our bid, which is to refurbish and extend the performance areas of the building, is not being considered, although we know it is one of a number that the Arts Council is not considering.

"We are in the process now of making representations to the Arts Council to clarify the situation, and we will make further statements when the situation is clearer."

As part of the ambitious Cliffs blueprint, a series of projects were planned including:

Rebuilding the stalls with raked seating giving the theatre a new capacity of 1,601 seats, 33 less than the current number

A larger stage house with dimensions for the stage and fly tower meeting the minimum requirements for major touring companies - an increase in the maximum height from 19 metres to 29 metres.

Extensions to accommodate new changing and hospitality rooms

A new forecourt, terrace and loading bay with soundproofing enclosure

A two-level car park with 190 spaces at Shorefield Road.

Realignment of Station Road to form a coach drop-off point

In a statement released yesterday, Mr Hewitt insisted the Arts Council could not meet the financial demands of every applicant for lottery cash.

He said: "We recognise that many organisations will be disappointed that they are not included in this plan. However, the Arts Council simply cannot meet all the demands that there is for capital investment.

"We believe that by providing clarity about our intentions, we are being fair to all concerned.

"We hope to avoid any further time or money being invested by organisations on projects which will not receive funding under this completion plan."

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