DESIGNS for a major leisure and housing scheme have been approved by council officials.

It is the latest milestone for Redcar's Coatham Enclosure - now dubbed the Coatham Links development - believed to cost £55m.

The final revised plan was formally approved by the Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council cabinet at a meeting in Redcar on Tuesday.

Work is continuing on producing a planning application with developer Persimmon Homes for the 35-acre site by September, with construction due to start next May.

The council's cabinet member for economic development, Councillor Vera Moody, said: "We are confident that the three consultation exercises we have carried out demonstrate the council has the support of the majority of residents to proceed - even if it must be funded by housing.

"Without doubt, the hottest debate centres around why we plan a significant part of the site for housing.

"The biggest single reason is the development value realised from the sale of the land within the site will finance the leisure elements.

"It is also very important to understand that the changed grant rules from various public funding bodies means that, for example, straightforward funding for a swimming pool is no longer available."

The Visitor Performance Centre will be the Coatham Link's star attraction, an all-weather, all-season facility featuring a multi-purpose dance and performance venue, with a dance floor as large as the current Coatham Bowl, plus 450 seats and a stage.