Rhyl complex development at a virtual standstill

Jun 25 2008 By David Rutland

Ocean Plaza

CONCERN is growing over the progress on a spectacular new development in Rhyl.

Work has come to a virtual standstill on the site of the former Ocean Beach Funfair, where property giants Modus are attempting to build a multi-million pound complex of more than 200 apartments, a hotel, pubs and retail outlets.

Original reports from the project start in 2006 saw the architects for the company claiming there would be an Asda supermarket open on the site by December 2008.

It now seems that the date may have been overly optimistic.

Chris Marlow, spokesman for Asda, told the Visitor: "The relocation wasn’t ever planned for 2008.

"The developer is finalising a few of the outstanding planning details and it will go ahead at the beginning of 2010 or the end of 2009."

The store would be built first, followed by four blocks of 50 apartments which would incorporate ground floor commercial properties.

Developers say the futuristic-looking blocks, featuring one and two bedroom apartments, will have an ocean liner look to them. They hope to attract marine- based businesses, such as surf shops, to the ground-floor lettings.

But the themed buildings look to be a long way off as nearby residents report work has ground to a standstill.

One resident, who wishes to remain anonymous, said: "There’s been nobody working on the site for eight weeks and there’s been nothing at all going on there."

A source close to the company told us that there are still outstanding issues over flooding and that the company had recently gone through a period of financial instability.

The Visitor has repeatedly contacted Modus, which describes itself as the UK’s top award-winning property company, but was unable to find anybody willing to divulge information.

Chris Ruane, MP for the Vale of Clwyd, said: "I recently met with Modus and was given strong reassurances that the site is not under threat and work will take place shortly."

A spokesman for Denbighshire County Council added: "Modus remains committed to the Ocean Plaza development. Discussions are ongoing between the company, Denbighshire and the Environment Agency with regard to developing the site."