A £100MILLION plan for a new marina on Southend seafront has been unveiled by a group of local businessmen.

Discussions were held yesterday between council group leaders and the consortium, which is headed by Don Ladell, joint owner of the Seaking boatyard in Leigh old town.

The marina would be based on the former loading pier, off Eastern Esplanade, using the remaining foundations and extending outwards into the estuary.

It would be capable of taking anything up to 80m superyachts and could be open as early as 2012, if planning permission is granted quickly.

Mr Ladell, 24, of Barbour Green, Wickford, said: “The proposal is to build a marina which will compete with the finest in the world, but remain strictly in keeping with the traditional English seaside atmosphere. We want to maintain the Victorian style of the seafront, which is why we plan to call it the Southend Victoria Marina.”

Mr Ladell insisted £100million funding for the project had been secured, but he would not reveal where the money would come from.

Other members of the marina consortium are Laurrie Hilsum, a Lloyds broker, and Michael Johnson, of the former Leigh boatbuilding family, Johnson, Son and Jago.

Mr Ladell thinks there is a huge demand for a marina on the north of the Thames Estuary, as there are no similar facilities in the area.

The main marina building would be home to a glamorous new yacht club.

He said: “The marina will give local yachtsmen the opportunity to be part of an international yachting community and international yachtsmen the opportunity to be part of our local sailing community.”

It is understood the three main political parties have met with the consortium and given a cautious welcome to the scheme.

Liberal Democrat group leader Graham Longley said: “The general view of our group is this could be the last chance Southend has to get a marina of this standing.”

Council leader Nigel Holdcroft said: “I think it would be an attractive development for the seafront, but there’s a very long way to go.

“One of the greatest assets the town has is its strong yachting heritage.”