A PROTESTOR has attacked supporters of Redcar's controversial £55m Coatham Enclosure scheme and is determined to try to block the proposals in court.

In front of a packed audience, local comedian Chris McGlade appealed for help to raise the £5,000 needed for the legal battle.

He also called on leading members of Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council to resign at the public meeting in the Redcar Bowl, on Tuesday night.

The firm at the centre of the controversial scheme, Persimmon Homes, has also highlighted the need to get the public on its side.

However, Mr McGlade said: "We are going to support the people of Redcar - Persimmon know that. There will be no compromise and we are going to fight them legally and take them to court to stop them building on the open land."

He demanded the council's project manager Ian Hopley and Coun Vera Moody, cabinet member for economic development, resign from their posts.

But Coun Moody maintains no one is going anywhere and that Mr McGlade is fighting against a positive future for the town.

She said: "We welcome any challenge in the courts because we are confident we will win and Mr McGlade will lose. What he is doing is preventing the regeneration of Redcar.

"We have no intention of discussing resignations."

Before the meeting Persimmon Homes' regional project director Peter Jordan tried to drum up support for the ambitious project.

He said: "This scheme has been put together to act as a catalyst for the regeneration of Redcar. It's wanted by the people for the people of the town.

"We have set out to consult with the public before any planning application and what the protesters are seeking to exploit is the fact we don't have all the answers, for the very reason that we are still developing options to try to achieve as much consensus as possible. When the application is submitted, we want to do it in partnership with the council and the community."

Coun Moody said that Persimmon was chosen because it was the 'only developer who would deliver a swimming pool back to Redcar'.

"The council, after listening to the public, is going to deliver the two most requested features in this development, a swimming pool and a dance floor. Without Persimmon this would not be possible," she said.

Last month, more than 200 marchers took to the streets of Redcar in protest over the proposals. Placard-waving campaigners marched to the beat of a drum to the council offices in Kirkleatham Street to deliver more than 200 letters objecting to the scheme.

Another march is due to take place tomorrow, with protestors meeting at the Stray Caf at 11.15am and marching at noon.