THE only developer interested in building an ice rink at Bournemouth’s Kings Park is currently unable to commit to the project, it has been confirmed.

Burnham Leisure Ltd, the only company to show serious interest in building an Olympic-sized rink in the town, does not have “sufficient certainty over the required financial backing” to progress the plans.

The Somerset-based company had set up a special purpose vehicle called Bournemouth Sport and Leisure and had requested an exclusivity contract to give it time to work up its proposals and get finance in place.

But despite being offered a 12-month exclusivity period by Bournemouth council, this agreement has never been signed by the developer and the project has now been shelved.

In an email to independent councillor Ron Whittaker, senior valuer Joanna Rust said: “We have recently been advised that while the chairman of Bournemouth Sport and Leisure remains keen to undertake the project he does not yet have sufficient certainty over the required financial backing and so does not wish to enter into any commitment at this stage.

“Unfortunately his response highlights that at the present time there is a lack of market interest in funding such a scheme.”

Cllr Whittaker said: “This is very disappointing but not unexpected news.

“It is now nearly nine years since myself and Cllr Chris Mayne made the move for a permanent ice rink in the town to be made a council top priority and you have to wonder whether we will ever see this development.

“It is not the news one would have hoped for.”