Campaigner John Maiden, of Hunstanton Civic Society, had submitted a petition to West Norfolk Council in protest to a cabinet decision to concentrate efforts on regeneration rather that directing officer time at repetitive queries over the pier controversy.

The petition received the backing of Cllr Stephanie Smeaton, the council's ward member for Heacham, who addressed cabinet members at a meeting on Tuesday.

She said: "I am doing this because I think there has not been sufficient consultation with the town council or other interested bodies.

"I have been visiting Hunstanton for over 40 years and I feel if the council ignores the petition and goes ahead with the proposed policy, it could deny future generations the right to use The Green for leisure and recreation."

But cabinet members decided to stand by their decision, with council leader Cllr Nick Daubney offering to meet civic society members to discuss ways of moving forward.

He said: "Constant queries to our legal officers, finance officers and a number of other officers were not constructive.

"They did nothing to progress regeneration in Hunstanton and did very little towards the possible acquisition or possible construction of a new pier, if that is truly what residents want to see happen.

"We have had a lot of legal advice and I think the civic society has made some good and important points.

"I will agree to meet the civic society again, but I recommend we accept the recommendation."

The problem revolves around an argument over who is responsible for replacing the town's Victorian pier, which was destroyed in a storm in 1978.

Campaigners believe CHS Amusements is obliged to re-build the pier and have objected to the current development due to its encroachment on The Green.

At a cabinet meeting in February members backed a recommendation to create a deed which would formally release the pier owners from this responsibility to put an end to the intricate legal debate, therefore prompting the petition from Mr Maiden and campaigners.

Speaking after Tuesday's meeting, Mr Maiden said: "Nick Daubney said he would come to talk to us but I think it would have been better if he had talked to us before he agreed that report.

"The civic society will invite him tomorrow, if he wants, but we would like him to bring the chief executive and head of legal services, they are the people we need to be talking to."