Supporters of plans to revamp a harbour and create thousands of jobs have insisted their dream is not dead, despite a huge cash shortfall.

Adur District Council pledged to come up with a workable option to save the Shoreham Maritime Vision, which Brighton and Hove City Council last week branded unviable.

The harbour makeover could create 6,400 jobs and 1,200 homes but with costs estimated at more than £200 million, it is unlikely the regeneration in its current form could go ahead.

But an Adur District Council report is recommending they continue supporting the ambitious project despite the difficulties.

Adur leader Neil Parkin said: "Yes, we have a problem but this is not unexpected. At some point in any major project the source of the investment has to be resolved.

"This council has put a lot of work into the Shoreham Maritime Vision and is not prepared to just give up now."

Plans to transform the port were drawn up in 1999 by several partners.

They were thrown into doubt when a study published last week by Brighton and Hove said the necessary transport improvements would be too costly.

The most likely options would be a new tunnel or a new link road to the A27.

But council officers discovered they would have to find £177.5 million for the tunnel, while the road link would leave them £92.5 million short.

None of the partners involved would be able to provide the funding needed to push ahead with the plans, which include an enterprise park and media village.

There are also proposals for leisure facilities, a restaurant, pedestrian walkways and landscaping.

But the Adur report states: "The project is of a potential financial size that a number of developers and financial institutions have already expressed an interest to pursue a public/private venture in Shoreham Maritime."

Ian Lowrie, chief executive of Adur District Council, said: "It's certainly not dead in the water - there is no question of that."

Councillors will consider the report at a meeting on Tuesday.

Wednesday November 19, 2003