THE future of a £4.5m performing arts and media centre, which was refused over anti-social behaviour fears, will be decided this week.

The New Life Centre, which would be built at St Hilds C of E School, in King Oswy Drive, Hartlepool, was turned down by councillors at last month’s planning committee.

A new planning application has been submitted by members of the Headland Development Trust in a last-ditch attempt to secure the lottery and Government cash.

The project was originally refused over concerns anti-social behaviour would increase in an already problem area and that the development would be unduly large and dominant.

Now the trust has re-sited the building 2.5m to the east, further away from residential properties, and fencing has been increased to 3m and Hawthorn hedging is proposed for particularly troublesome areas.

Youngsters from Hartlepool Sixth Form College, St Hild's C of E School and High Tunstall College of Science have been collecting signatures on a petition.

In a report to planning committee members, Cleveland Police states: "The proposed development is located in the Brus Ward of Hartlepool, which suffers from higher than average rates of crime and disorder."

The trust has been set a deadline of June 6 for a contractor to be in place in order to secure the funding.

Proposals for The New Life Centre included a two-storey building, comprising smaller blocks connected by a central spine.

The centre, aimed at people aged between 13 and 19, would provide opportunities for them to record their own music and take part in dance and drama.

The facility would also house an IT suite, television studio and social areas.

It was planned to be open seven days a week and operate in partnership with St Hild's CE School, as it would have been built on the school's disused playing field, where the sports hall used to be.

The proposal was rejected because of the building's position and fears that youths would cause anti-social behaviour problems for nearby residents.

Hartlepool Borough Council’s planning committee will meet on Friday.