May 16, 2001 13:02: BROMLEY Council will be trying "every avenue" to recover millions of pounds it sank into the Crystal Palace Leisure Scheme.

First in the legal firing line is likely to be London and Regional Properties Ltd, the developers who failed to complete the £55m complex of cinemas, bars and restaurants within an undisclosed "prescribed period".

But angry locals say the millions of pounds spent on the project, including £2.5m on evicting environmental campaigners from the site in 1999, was a waste of public money. Millions more went into a high court battle with the Crystal Palace Campaign. Local architect George Ralph has even written to the district auditor demanding an investigation.

Council joint leader John Holbrook said: "The money wasn't wasted because of the benefits the regeneration money tied to the scheme brought to the area. But the council will be taking the appropriate legal courses." He also said it was "obvious" the developers could be the focus of the council's action.

A council spokesman said the prospect of a district audit investigation was "impossible." She said: "There is no chance we will be investigated, but we will be pursuing every avenue to recoup the money."

London and Regional Properties Ltd was unavailable for comment.