A CAMPAIGNING pensioner who has spent the past four years fighting plans to demolish a North-East theatre and leisure complex has spoken of his delight after the proposal was withdrawn.

Stockton Borough Council made a shock announcement that it is to withdraw planning applications for a supermarket on the Forum Theatre site in Billingham, Teesside, and the Gateway Complex in the town's John Whitehead Park.

The proposals for an Olympic-class ice-rink, a new swimming pool, gym, library, education and health facilities, as well as the supermarket, were submitted in 2000 amid a cloud of controversy.

The Save Our Theatre group collected a 10,000-name petition and Friends of the Park a 5,000-name petition both objecting to the plans, and Frank Crosby, 79, set up Billingham Action Team (BAT).

Earlier this year he helped organise a rally which was supported by more than 400 people and had also set up a petition which was signed by more than 2,000 people.

He said there was a lot of concern in the town about the plans, but now it was time to look forward to the future.

"Quite honestly we are delighted," he said.

"However, I do not think we are out of the woods quite yet and everybody needs to get together and work out the best way forward for Billingham.

"Stockton Council has been given an ideal opportunity to come back to the residents of Billingham to ask them what they want.

"I think the people of Billingham have been wonderful in letting the council know they were not happy. Instead of having something they did not want pushed down their throats they have shown they want to have a say on any future plans. It is good news."

The decision to withdraw the applications was taken after councillors considered an announcement made by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport to list the inside of the Forum.

The decision coupled with the delays caused by objections to part of the plans, made any prospect of delivering the new vision remote.

Published: 08/11/2004