A number of organisations have put forward proposals for the Middlehaven area, dating back to the 1980s.

* July 1989: British Urban Development appoints consultants to draw up a reclamation scheme for Middlehaven, a 190-acre derelict dockland in Middlesbrough.

They come up with a development including a new hospital, an off-shoot of Durham University and offices.

* June 1990: the cost is put at £300m.

* December 1990: British Urban development pulls out of the project. Councillors pledge to go ahead with a more modest scheme.

* April 1991: The hospital scheme is scrapped.

* October 1991: The Housebuilders' Federation turns its back on the scheme, saying Middlehaven is unsuitable for new homes.

* April 1994: The scheme is relaunched. It now includes a centre for refitting tall ships, an exhibition centre and shopping mall.

* April 1996: Frustrated by the lack of progress, councillors demand a show of commitment from the Teesside Development Company. The council is opposed to the TDC's plans for an Asda supermarket on the site.

* November 1996: As the wrangle drags on, the TDC switches the Tall Ships Centre to Hartlepool - then switches the scheme back to Hartlepool's annoyance.

* April 1997: The £100m project hits another snag when a judge slams the TDC for giving the Asda project the go-ahead and not examining the plan "objectively".

* February 1998: The Tall Ships Centre is dealt a fatal blow when the Millennium Commission turns down a £16m funding bid. Just days later, the Asda plan also falls through.

* October 1999: With the TDC consigned to history, regional development agency One NorthEast takes up the struggle and announces a start on site of April 2000.

* June 2000: Work formally begins on infrastructure preparation. The scheme is now costed at £59m, a far cry from the original £300m vision.

* September 2001: Middlehaven is to be the site of a "digital city".

* February 2002: Regeneration Minister Lord Falconer pledges a new beginning for the site with 1,400 homes, 50,000sq metres of commercial floor space, leisure facilities and a primary school.

* October 2003: Alsop Architects appointed to oversee the scheme.

* January 2004: Planning permission is finally granted for the first buildings - an office building and a brasserie.

* July 2004: Middlesbrough Mayor Ray Mallon unveils a £500m vision of the future that will make Middlehaven one of the most talked about regeneration schemes of the 21st Century.

In ten years time the area should be transformed ... or will this be just another plan to fall by the wayside?