THE prospect of a permanent ice rink in the heart of the city could be revived thanks to the credit crunch, the Daily Echo can reveal.

A multi-million pound council land deal with a house builder has collapsed leaving the door open for a rival developer to revive his vision for an ice complex in St Mary’s.

Colin Warburg, below, last year unveiled bold £80m plans to build an Olympic sized rink and 28-storey apartment tower on a boarded council plot in St Mary’s Road, off the Charlotte Place roundabout.

But council chiefs decided to sell the land to social housing builder Lovell as the highest bidder in an auction, claiming Mr Warburg offered no guarantees and that selling below value would be a public subsidy to his project.

Despite initial estimates the deal would be wrapped up in a couple of months, and repeated denials there was any problem council chiefs have finally admitted defeat after more than a year of negotiation.

In a brief statement Lovell, which was to have overseen the creation of 66 low cost and rental apartments on the plot, said: “Having looked carefully at this opportunity, we’ve decided that it doesn’t fit with our long-term business strategy.”

Mr Warburg said he is eager to have one-to-one talks with the council and urged it not to waste more time re-marketing the site.

“I do have great interest in the site and would love to build the complex previously proposed. It will take some more creative methods to that we had previously arranged, but I am sure we can manage it.”

He said it was sad the affordable housing deal had collapsed but added: “It will give the opportunity for the councillors to see the further benefit of the ice rink complex and reconsider the considerable value it brings to the city.”

Ever since the city’s Top Rank rink at Banister Park shut in 1988 campaigners have been calling for a permanent replacement.

Earlier this year the Daily Echo launched its Get Your Skates On campaign to mark the 20th anniversary of its closure.

Campaigners collected a 5,000 signature petition for a new rink which they submitted to council bosses in August after marching through the city. Now they hope Mr Warburg’s proposal could become a reality.

Former Southampton Vikings ice hockey player Nick Drew, 47, a heavy plant operator, said: “I would love to think there could be another ice rink and hope it will happen.

“In the current economic climate it is going to be difficult. You just have to see everyone enjoying themselves on the temporary ice rink to see how popular it would be.

“It is great for kids and families to do something together. Not everyone wants to go to pubs and clubs.”

Jill White, who set up a Southampton girls’ ice hockey team called The Crusaders said: “I wish the council would let Mr Warburg get on with it.

“It would be very disappointing if they did not give him a chance.

“We collected 5,000 signatures on our petition for a new ice rink and have shown the interest is still there.”

Jo Farrow, 68, of Eastleigh, former Southampton Vikings club secretary, said she hoped Mr Warburg’s plan would be successful.

“It would be great for the youngsters of the town to have an ice rink and to get rid of some of their energy.

“There’s so much people can do; skating, ice hockey, and ice dancing.

“It can lead to a lifetime of enjoyment.”