May 16, 2001 13:04: BROMLEY Council will be trying "every avenue" to recover millions of pounds it sunk into the controversial Crystal Palace Leisure Scheme, which sensationally collapsed last weekend.

First in the legal firing line is likely to be developer London and Regional Properties Ltd. Councillors say the firm 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 spent 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, which spent four years battling the project.

Local architect George Ralph has now written to the district auditor to complain and demand 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."

A council spokesman described the prospect of a district audit investigation as "impossible." She said: "There is no chance we will be investigated by the District Audit Office. But we will be pursuing every avenue to recoup the money."

London and Regional Properties Ltd was unavailable for comment.