Plans to convert a former Nazi coastal spa resort on the German island of Rugen into a family leisure destination has sparked outrage in Germany.

According to Russia Today protestors feel the new resort would be a reminder of the country's past and "amounts to finishing off the Nazis' work". The original project called Prora, planned by the Strength Through Joy organisation (Kraft durch Freude), was designed to provide leisure facilities for the 'true Aryan' as part of the Nazis' Power Through Health.

Construction of the complex, which began in 1936, ground to a halt with the beginning of World War Two leaving shells of the eight housing blocks, a theatre and a cinema. The building is now a listed heritage building due to its Third Reich architecture. Rotterdam-based architects Atelier Kempe Thill are designing the new resort's youth hostel, which will feature in one of the existing blocks. The company underwent an international competition in 2004 for the project and received the commission in 2007.

Other private developers are planning uses for the remaining blocks but it is understood that a sports centre could be among the plans. Oliver Thrill, of Atelier Kempe Thill, said: "The development process is going quite slowly. Construction is expected to begin in 2010 and the facility is due to open in 2011."