200 join protest march over £55m housing development

The march was organised by comedian Chris McGlade, who has managed to rally considerable support from people across Teesside.

Placard-waving campaigners marched to the beat of a drum along the seafront, down High Street and Lord Street to the Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council offices in Kirkleatham Street to deliver more than 200 letters objecting to the scheme.

The protestors hope to return in the coming weeks with a 25,000 signature petition.

Mr McGlade says the land has an old covenant on it which restricts any building going ahead, although the council says it has examined all available evidence to show the land is council-owned.

When delivering the documents yesterday, Mr McGlade said: "The people of this town will not let this development go unopposed.

"We don't want any more housing in the town. We will take you to court about the covenants."

On the steps of the building, Councillor Chris Abbot met the opposition head-on.

He said: "The covenants mean nothing because the land belongs to the council."

One protestor, who was holding her young child, demanded the council explain the decision to redevelop the green area.

She shouted: "Come on, tell my child why you are selling his future - look him in the eyes and tell him where his future lies."

Redcar and Cleveland Council said the scheme, including 285 houses by Persimmon and a £22m leisure development, was vital for Redcar's future.

Cabinet member for economic development Councillor Vera Moody said: "The money from the housing is essential to bringing a swimming pool back to Redcar - we are doing what the public want."

"Mr McGlade has been able to incite a lot of people with misleading information about this scheme.

"But we have checked out the covenants and there is nothing stopping us from building on our land."

A planning application is due next spring, with construction work - expected to take four years - starting before the end of the year.