HUNDREDS of new jobs could be created with a £25 million scheme for a derelict East Coast holiday camp, according to would-be developers.

They say their plans for the 200-acre former Butlin's camp at Amtree Park, Filey, would help to bring visitors and fresh prosperity to a wider area including Scarborough and Bridlington.

The proposals include creating 300 holiday homes, leisure and sports facilities, a hotel and conference centre, retail developments, a petrol filling station and garden centre.

The plans, which Hull-based Crownville Estates have submitted to Scarborough Borough Council, also include improving road access to the site.

Crownville said at least 250 permanent new jobs would be created by the development, with a further 150 or so coming during the construction phase.

They were in detailed discussions with Haven Leisure about integrating some of the proposed facilities with Haven's adjoining Primrose Valley Holiday Park, adding another developer had also shown interest in running the holiday village part of the application.

Director Wayne Low said: "Our scheme will be a major boost to tourism on the East Coast at a time when visitor numbers are declining.

"By completely revitalising this brown field site, which is currently an eyesore, we will be helping to bring more tourists to Filey, Scarborough, Bridlington and the surrounding areas."

Work to begin clearing the rundown site - with 120,000 tonnes of debris to remove - could begin this autumn.

If outline permission is granted for the project the company estimates it would then take a further year to produce detailed proposals, and then 18 months to carry out the redevelopment work.

Mr Low added: "This project would be completely financed by private funding and would create a substantial number of jobs for local people in the construction, leisure, and retail sectors.

"After years of talks involving previous owners of the site we have come forward with firm and positive proposals which we believe will bring great benefits to the area."

He said: "Our main objective has been to work closely with Scarborough Council, the Environment Agency, Yorkshire Forward, and Filey Town Council, to negotiate a redevelopment proposal for the site, that whilst remaining within the development brief set out by the borough council did not need public funding."

The company said the proposals were based on the principles that the scheme should be sensitively designed, that the cliff top area should remain free from development in the interest of nature conservation, and that the character and appearance of this area of open unspoilt coastline was enhanced rather than being adversely affected in any way.