A LEADING conservation group could thwart plans to redevelop one of Scarborough's most controversial eyesores, the South Bay pool complex.

Once the heart of the resort, it has been derelict for almost 15 years and the borough council has plans to spend £1m to regenerate the area.

But the Twentieth Century Society, founded in 1979 to protect British architecture and design, has asked Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell to list the pool for its architectural interest and for the complex to be re-opened as a pool.

However, the move has been criticised by the leader of Scarborough Borough Council, Councillor Eileen Bosomworth who said the society's plans, would cost between £5m and £10m, while the council was looking to invest £1m.

"I'm sick of people with big ideas who have no conception of where the money is coming from to pay for them. Such people are holding the town back - the society's ideas are pie in the sky.

"It is in a dangerous state at present and we are having to spend a lot of money on security to keep children out."

The council's plan involves filling in the pool and creating a dinosaur route with sculptures.

"We want it to become a popular area for holidaymaking families," said Coun Bosomworth.

Emmanuelle Morgan, of the society, said: "We have been looking at lidos for the past 12 years and in our expert opinion, the South Bay Pool is one of the best in the country.

"We have had letters from people in Scarborough who want to retain the pool.

"We think the council could obtain Heritage Lottery funding to carry out the work."

The pool was opened in 1915, and closed in 1989.