THE unveiling of detailed plans for an £80m hotel and flats complex at Tall Trees, Yarm, has provoked a mixed reaction from two leading local figures.

Dari Taylor, MP for Stockton South, hailed the scheme as exciting and visionary.

But Coun Marjorie Simpson, who represents Yarm on Stockton Council, said many residents were wary of the plans.

Mrs Taylor said: "I think the proposals are exciting and very high quality and are just what is needed in my area.

"In Egglescliffe, big houses are being knocked down and flats built, so there is clearly serious demand for good flats in a good area.

"It's a very big project and it shows ambition for Teesside. We need people with ambition who are talking up our region and saying how valuable and how good it is.

"If this takes off, it could transform the economy of Yarm."

Coun Simpson said: "I always wait to see what residents want to do, but the last time I sounded them out they wanted rid of the nightclub, while others did not want another village next to them.

"There are a lot of people against the extra traffic this will cause, but at the end of the day it's up to the planners and people have the right to object.

"The people at Tall Trees will hopefully come up with something that everybody wants."

Despite her enthusiasm for the scheme, Mrs Taylor also sounded a word of caution.

She said: "The one thing I really think is crucial is local consultation. People have got to be reassured, because the downside to this is that traffic will increase dramatically.

"Its value can only be there if local people understand what is being proposed and feel that it will not reduce the quality of their lives."

* Tall Trees plan in detail, page 3.