From July 1, Pembroke Gardens in Bridlington could be transformed into a work station, complete with a portable toilet and mobile cabins, for the duration of the work – up to 11 months.

The business community, which relies largely on the open sea views and the attractiveness of the Pembroke Gardens area for trade, is strongly against the idea and is planning peaceful protests in opposition to it.

"We put up with all the building work and hoardings blocking the sea view during the Spa renovation and we were told it would all be worth it," said Bob Hillery, of the Spinnaker House Hotel in Pembroke Terrace.

"Now as soon as that work has finished, they're doing it to us all over again with more disruption.

"In these dire economic times we need as many visitors as we can through our doors and this won't help. Who wants to stay in a guest house overlooking a building site with portable toilets, building materials and cabins?"

His views are shared by many who live or work in the properties opposite Pembroke Gardens and, speaking on behalf of the West Street and Surrounding Area Regeneration Group, chairman Brett Dunn said: "We welcome, support and encourage redevelopment, regeneration and funding within the area but cannot support regeneration that will have a detrimental effect on residents or businesses."

Members of the West Street group have vowed to chain themselves to the railings to prevent contractors moving into the gardens and have even drawn up a rota of people willing to lock themselves to the gates through the night.

"This is how serious we are about it," said Brett. "We will do all we can to stop this going ahead."

In March this year East Riding of Yorkshire Council was forced to revise plans to plant tree canopies in Pembroke Gardens after the local community fiercely objected to the designs.

This latest £6million Spa environs work is a major stage of Bridlington's regeneration and, with improved lighting and a redeveloped promenade and foreshore, the work will include complete the resurfacing of the road in front of the Spa.

Members of the West Street group are not against the building work but strongly object to Pembroke Gardens being taken over as a base for contractors.

John Lister, the council's head of Bridlington development plan, said although he understood some of the concerns, he said the work would put Bridlington "in with the big boys" in terms of attracting tourists long term.

He also said contractors would try to minimise disruption during the peak holiday season and would wait until October before stepping up the level of work.

"It is a massive undertaking that will completely transform the area and benefit all those around it," said Mr Lister.

"There is the chance here for the massive advancement of Bridlington."
He said the council would continue working with local residents and businesses to do "what is right for them and what is right for Bridlington".

Coun Margaret Chadwick, speaking on behalf of her fellow East Riding of Yorkshire ward councillors Chad Chadwick and Geoff Pickering, said: "If the work doesn't start and finish by a certain date, we lose funding. We would have to find an alternative as soon as possible."

She said alternative bases such as the harbour car park had been considered but rejected on health and safety grounds.

Coun Pickering said: "We need to make sure the work we are doing does not impact on local businesses but this is the easiest, most convenient and cost-effective place to put the compound.

"If we spend money putting it elsewhere, we are spending money we don't need to spend – money that could be going into other things."