DEVELOPERS should be charged for deliberately delaying major projects like Marine Plaza, according to the leader of Southend Council.

Anger is mounting over the lack of progress on £100million landmark site.

Planning permission was granted in 2015 for 282 flats along with shops and restaurants on the landmark seafront site opposite the Kursaal.

The Inner London Group said it had expected to start work on the Marine Plaza development on Southend seafront after Christmas, but there are no signs of work beginning.

Councillor John Lamb, leader of Southend Council expressed his concerns at the delay and said if and when proposed new laws to fine so-called land-blockers came about, he wouldn’t hesitate to use them.

He said: “I am very disappointed with the Inner London Group having pledged they would start work, they have done nothing to move this forward.

“I wish we had the legislation where if need be we could make them pay to leave it, but at the moment that legislation doesn’t exist. I would like to see them charged for the delay.”

Deputy leader James Courtenay said: “We don’t know what’s happening with Marine Plaza. Across the town developers push us to get planning permission through. Often it is exciting stuff.

“We want to see these added housing and leisure facilities, but as soon as they get planning permission, it stalls and they just renew planning permission every two or three years.

“This is a very prominent site to leave empty.”

The plans stalled after being hit by the gloomy economic climate in recent years, but the company revealed last year it had secured a construction partner to provide a £60million boost and allow the scheme to get off the ground.

However, there are no signs construction is about to begin anytime soon on the site which is currently being used as a temporary car park

Larry Fenttiman, a director of the group, has not responded to requests for information about progress.