Fears have been raised that Poole’s regeneration area will miss out on the chance of providing new tourist attractions.

With the Twin Sails Bridge up and running and planning applications being worked up for key sites in lower Hamworthy and the town centre, the council needs to ensure there are major attractions to pull people into the town, said Cllr Mark Howell, who represents Poole Town .

“Nationally and internationally regeneration area are defined by tourist attractions which bring visitors to them,” said Cllr Howell, leader of Poole People, who is raising the issue at full council on September 18.

“Poole desperately needs additional tourist attractions to attract visitors to the town centre and quay areas,” he said.

“Although we are in a recession and it will be challenging to find tourism operators to invest at this stage, it is important that spaces are retained within the regeneration area that tourism operators can develop once the economy picks up.”

Neptune, developers of West Quay between the bridges, has cafés and bars within their plans, Gallaghers who own the former power station site have submitted outline plans which includes space for a tourist attraction with no operator identified, and Inland Homes, developers of the Pilkington site has submitted an outline application with no allocation for an attraction.

He said if the council did not influence developers to include spaces for tourist attractions: “It is likely that the regeneration area will take the form of a housing estate rather than an extension to the old town capable of bringing tourists and therefore money and jobs to the town.”

Bruce Grant-Braham, Poole Tourism Partnership chairman, said: “Opportunities for any new development in the regeneration area that enhances Poole’s unique waterfront and includes some kind of attraction – especially one that is family orientated, great in the wet weather and with year round appeal, would be on our wish list and really benefit Poole’s tourism industry.”

Cllr Xena Dion, cabinet portfolio holder for the environment and local economy said: “While we strive to work with landowners and businesses to develop these opportunities, it is up to landowners to bring forward viable proposals that reflect the town’s ambitions as set out in our core strategy.”