A COUNCIL is considering buying back a piece of land it sold off at a third of the price eight years ago.

Hartlepool Borough Council is looking at the possibility of buying the vacant lot on Seaton Carew seafront.

It sold the land, which is slightly smaller than a football pitch, for £42,000 in 1997, but is now facing a bill of up to £120,000 if it decides to buy it back.

Independent councillor Stan Kaiser said it would be a small price to pay to ensure the green open space along Seaton Carew front was protected from unwanted developers.

Businessman David Howe owns the land and has appealed to the planning inspectorate after his proposals for a new pub and restaurant on the site were turned down.

He said he previously had planning permission for a pub scheme for the land, including a replica galleon.

However, he could not afford to have the work carried out in the specified time, and when he submitted the plans again, they were refused.

Residents in the area had feared it would spoil the view and lead to noise, anti-social behaviour, and traffic.

Mr Howe wants £120,000 for the land and Coun Kaiser said it should be snapped up.

"This council made a silly mistake in selling the land and they should stop messing about and buy it back at the price he requests," he said.

"This is the cost of a small semi-detached house, which we can mortgage over 25 years.

"It will cost us nothing, but it will save and protect one of the greatest assets we have in this town, which is that beautiful expanse of promenade and beach at Seaton Carew."

He said the land could be kept as open space, but could also include a car park for visitors.

He has written to the planning inspectorate to oppose Mr Howe's pub plans.

A spokesman for Hartlepool Borough Council said: "We are aware of Coun Kaiser's suggestions that the council should buy the land and we are currently giving the matter consideration.

"It would be too early to speculate or comment on what it could be used for."