NEW homes could be built on the site previously earmarked for the Cliffs Museum.

Southend Council scrapped plans for the £55million The Thames Estuary Experience after costs rose from £40million before a brick was laid.

Part of the project included a car park inset in the cliffs and this, along with a number of options, are still being considered.

New sites are also being suggested for the museum.

A spokesman for Southend Council said: “In terms of the future of the site, it has potential for other development, which could include residential, parking or other mixed use.

“The site as a whole might require some longer term work on cliff stabilisation if no other development takes place.

“Were any future plans for a town-centre museum to come forward, parking would have to be factored into those plans.”

Fear of landslides would have to be factored into any decision.

The spokesman added: “Stabilisation work was completed three years ago within the budget. It was required with or without a museum coming forward and is expected to provide medium-term protection against cliff slippage for around 25 years. It will be regularly monitored to ensure that it is performing adequately, much in the same way we do with sea defences.”

Following the Echo’s exclusive announcement the museum plan was being scrapped seafront traders called for the car park part of the project to continue.

Former chairman of the seafront traders’ association, Paul Thompson, said: “Well done to Southend Council for scrapping this scheme

“I would say we need to push on with the car park in the cliffs, but lets put it in the cliffs and do it properly so it is not an eyesore.

“We have never really had a parking strategy, it has been promised for at least two years, but no real plan with real ideas has come forward.”

He said he hoped another site was found for the museum.