Plans for a 250-berth marina at King's Lynn are to be pushed forward despite a scheme to link the town to the inland waterways being held up.

Plans for a 250-berth marina at King's Lynn are to be pushed forward despite a scheme to link the town to the inland waterways being held up.

West Norfolk Council's ambitious plans for a new seaward-facing marina for 250 boats were devised in conjunction with plans to link the town to the inland waterways via the River Nar and relief channel and the River Ouse at Denver.

It was seen by government bodies and the regional development agency as being of huge potential economic benefit to the town.

But yesterday, councillors agreed to push forward just the seaward-facing marina because of complications and financial challenges facing the inland marina project.

"It would be wrong if the outward-facing marina was held up because of difficulties and complications and financial challenges as far as the inward marina is concerned," said John Dobson, chairman of yesterday's special cabinet committee. "We know that a seagoing marina is not just possible but highly desirable for this town. In engineering terms we could make a 250-berth marina at Boal Quay and we already have considerable interest from developers. We want to push forward as fast as possible."

It is hoped the scheme will kick-start a waterfront development of upmarket homes and leisure facilities.

Councillors agreed to start a formal tendering exercise and hunt for a developer for the seaward-facing marina project and that the inland marina would be a "longer-term aspiration".