However, the decision was referred to the full council amid heated accusations the scheme failed to consider fully the concerns of the local community over lighting and exclusion from the scheme of new stand-alone toilets and a cafe.

At full council, Carnoustie councillors Ralph Palmer and Helen Oswald insisted the provision of these should be reconsidered.

But infrastructure services convener David May hit out, “This is the SNP grandstanding again, once more wasting officer and councillors’ time.

“I feel sure that when the Carnoustie public hear about this meeting, they will be equally appalled, as it is not only wasting our time but, more importantly, it will lead to a delay in the work being completed.

“Thanks to the SNP referring this to the full council, it is now very unlikely the seafront improvements will be ready before next summer’s tourist season.”

He insisted the proposals as they stood would deliver a high quality seafront.

“I am surprised the SNP are raising these issues at this stage in the process.

“When the proposals were considered at the council meeting in December, only the issue of lighting was raised and, at that time, it was agreed new lighting was contrary to the council policy which was established by the previous SNP administration.

“In December, the SNP did not move any amendments to provide a cafe or new toilets and I therefore find it astonishing at this late stage they are now making this proposal.

“In fact, they had accepted in April 2007 that new stand-alone toilets would not provide good value for money, so why the U-turn now?

“I still have to hear from the SNP what they would cut from the scheme to put in the stand-alone toilets, estimated to cost £200,000.

“The distance from the toddlers’ play area to the toilets at the leisure centre is approximately 180 metres.

“The distance from the farthest facility to the leisure centre is approximately 250 metres.”