At least one new bidder has entered the race to develop the Morgan's Harbour leisure site in Southampton.

It is understood that one of the original consortiums have re-submitted their tender for the multi-use project, which collapsed when Government pulled the plug on negotiations with the successful bidders.

And the bid entered by Capital Consultants Ltd could have landed at the Bermuda Land Development Company with propositions from other would-be developers.

It is unclear whether the move will affect a 90-day exclusivity contract handed to runner-up bidder BEAM Ltd -- to enable them to put together a plan to develop the site.

Capital Consultants Ltd, which is fronted by businessman Kit Astwood, is the new name given to King's Point Land Co. Ltd, who lost out in 1997 when the contract was awarded to Morgan's Harbour Investment Ltd.

The newly-submitted bid, which has been modified from its original format, includes a PGA standard golf course, clubhouse, between 30 and 60 upmarket houses and, eventually, a hotel.

The group are understood to have the funds already in place, enabling the project to get underway almost immediately.

They believe a key attraction of their plan are visitor exit surveys that indicate up to 90,000 games of golf had been lost because there is not enough room on existing courses.

New bid for Morgan's Harbour Yesterday, Mr. Astwood said he did not want to comment. But it is believed Capital Consultants Ltd are now waiting to hear from BLDC as to whether their bid will be considered.

BLDC chief executive Carl Musson also refused to comment on the move, referring all queries to Development and Opportunity Minister Terry Lister.

Mr. Lister has repeatedly not returned calls regarding Morgan's Harbour.

The 250-acre site still requires an extensive clean-up of underground oil and other waste left by US forces. And the question of who will pay for the restoration still remains unanswered.

MHIL spent around $3.5 million on surveys, but any potential developer would require an indemnity from Government on any unforeseen pollution problems.

The original Kings Point bid included, along with the golf course, a marina, water sports centre and eventually a 200-unit cottage colony -- but only if tourism figures improved.