The proposal was just one of a string of ideas put forward when West Norfolk Council-employed consultants Building Design Partnership (BDP) unveiled its draft masterplan for the town.

The three-day exhibition in the town's redeveloped community centre also presented a suggestion the former Kit Kat club site, in Seagate Road, could be developed to provide cafés and restaurants with housing or a hotel above.

Other ideas, in the first version of the document that will ultimately shape future development and bring public-spending into the town, is to create a viewing platform on the outside of "the pier building" on the green and the development of a tourism information and education centre next to the Sealife Centre.

Hunstanton Civic Society member John Maiden was concerned that many of the conceptual photos used to illustrate the plans were outlandish.

The Civic Society issued a statement calling for a "softer, greener Hunstanton". The display said the plan includes projects that could be delivered within five years as well as longer term goals.

Among the long-term suggestions are plans to enclose an area of water off the beach, a "marine lake", for safe swimming, and install outdoor sports facilities such as volleyball courts and five-a-side all-weather pitch at the south end of the seafront.

An idea designed to make Hunstanton a year-round resort, is the creation of facilities such as changing rooms, showers and a café near to the existing sailing club to attract water sports enthusiasts.

The three-tier shopping centre is proposed on the bus station, adjoining old garage site and library, in Westgate.

It would include a 244-space car park below and shops, café, library and flats above.

Two new bus stops would replace the bus station, one at the new centre and one near the seafront.

It suggests a lot of new building on Southend Road to create a gateway to the town, potentially comprising commercial buildings with housing above.

Seagate Road car park could be adjusted to make a more "formalised" parking area and a footpath built to link Tesco to the seafront, it was said.

The High Street could be transformed to create a small town square and it and Le Strange Terrace and get footpath works in a bid to slow traffic and give priority to pedestrians.