AN INVESTIGATION is to be held into proposals for a controversial multi-million pound development for Redcar.

Developer Persimmon hopes to build homes and leisure facilities on the site of the Coatham Enclosure and is due to submit plans to Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, probably in January.

But this week the council announced its plans to hold an in-depth investigation into proposals for the development due to public concern.

The news coincided with a second public meeting opposing the development at the Coatham Bowl, organised by protestor Chris McGlade, which attracted about 200 people on Wednesday.

Mr McGlade, who believes the prime site should be developed solely for leisure and pastime purposes, has collected thousands of names opposing the development.

A public meeting earlier this month in the town also attracted 200 people. He and his supporters are now petitioning residents ward by ward.

The council's scrutiny committee called for a Scrutiny Commission in open session, after being approached by the two Coatham ward councillors, Josie Crawford and Irene Curr.

A council spokesman said the commission was a direct response to local concerns about the planned housing and leisure development.

He said: "The commission will consider all concerns raised by ward councillors on behalf of their constituents, as well as anyone else who wants to be heard.

"The aim of the commission will be to take evidence and consider whether the concerns are being addressed or that procedures are in place to address them and will report their findings to the council's cabinet."

The meeting will be held in the main hall of Redcar Community College - formerly West Redcar Community School - on Thursday, October 7, starting at 5pm.

Mr McGlade said: "No one from the council wanted to come to our meeting on Wednesday. They are scared to face their critics. They are just trying to fob us off by inviting us to their meeting instead.