A major action plan could breathe new life into Ramsgate’s waterfront.

South Thanet MP Laura Sandys is calling for the development of a seafront masterplan.

She spoke after the council announced it is terminating its agreement to turn the Pleasurama funfair site into a mixed-use development.

Developer SFP Ventures UK had secured planning permission in 2004 for a hotel, apartments and retail units, but the scheme failed to materialise.

In a short statement, Thanet District Council said: "Members of Cabinet have tonight decided to adopt the recommendations of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel to terminate the development agreement in relation to the Pleasurama site in Ramsgate.

"A construction expert will now be appointed to advise the council on the steps to be taken next."

Ms Sandys said: “Now is the time to develop a masterplan for the whole of Ramsgate’s historic seafront and I am keen that we organise a competition for leading architects from around the country to help us restore the iconic character of our much-loved seascape.

“With the Royal Victoria Pavilion’s future likely to be coming up for review very shortly, there has never been a better time to develop a masterplan for the whole seafront.

“The Pleasurama site is a most extraordinary one but it has laid derelict for far too long.

“It has become a blight on our town and we absolutely cannot allow another decade to pass with negligible progress. We are quite simply squandering one of our most superb assets.

“Ramsgate truly is a national treasure and we all want to see the fabulous seafront restored. That’s why it is imperative that the next move is the right one.

“A rash decision on the future of the site could be catastrophic. We have huge potential and it’s time that leading architects were brought in to help us formulate a masterplan for Ramsgate seafront.”