COUNCIL chiefs are being urged to buy a stretch of New Forest coastline to safeguard it from a massive dock development.
Controversial plans by Associated British Ports (ABP) to build a new container terminal at Dibden Bay appeared to be dead in the water following a Government decision four years ago.
However, the Daily Echo last week revealed how port bosses still harboured hopes of developing the reclaimed land.
Now Hampshire County Council is being asked to consider joining forces with other authorities tomake a bid for the heavily protected site.
Cllr David Harrison, whose ward covers the area, believes that ABP would listen to a suitable offer. He claimed that the area had "massive potential" as public open space and that the cost of buying it would eventually be recouped via parking and access fees.
He said: "The best way to see off this threat is for the county council to purchase this important site.
"If the county councilmakes a reasonable offer, possibly in partnership with other local authorities, then shareholders of Associated British Ports would have to consider selling."
The £600m scheme was rejected following a 13-month public inquiry four years ago, but the issue surfaced again last week at the Port City Futures conference attended by marine minister Jonathon Shaw.
Port director Doug Morrison received a rapturous round of applause after revealing that ABP still wanted to forge ahead with the scheme.
Some countryside campaigners have dismissed the comments, while others fear that a proposed shake-up in planning laws could make it easier for such projects to take place.
A spokesman for ABP said that the company had "absolutely no plans" to reapply for permission to develop Dibden Bay but admitted that managers were keeping their options open.
He was unable to comment on Cllr Harrison's proposal that the county council should purchase the land.
He said: "We need to safeguard the land in case we ever want to proceed with any future developments."
