PEOPLE protesting against a £60m development on the coast have been promised a meeting.

More than 150 residents next to the site of the proposed Coatham Enclosure, off Majuba Road, in Redcar, have signed a petition against plans for an extreme-sports centre, leisure centre, cinema and 280 homes.

Susan Chester, who collected signatures, said: "This development is going to generate hundreds more cars from visitors and new residents.

"We are worried about the safety of the children at the Coatham Primary School, as well as the loss of the Majuba car park, which is full in the summer."

The extreme-sports centre would feature a BMX cycle arena, indoor skating arena and climbing wall, while the leisure centre would include facilities for ten-pin bowling and five-a-side football.

Miss Chester also said people had raised fears about the loss of sea views and open space, and were concerned at the size of the proposed swimming pool.

She said: "We feel we should have received individual letters about the development and information about meetings."

Simon Usher, land and planning manager for Persimmon Homes, which is developing the plans with Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, said: "We have held a public meeting, given presentations, had an exhibition at Redcar library for two months, issued Press releases and held one-to-one interviews.

"We will be addressing as many issues raised in the public consultation exercise as we can.

"Increased traffic will be an obvious consequence, but there will be traffic management schemes in place, including park-and-ride arrangements, overspill parking and traffic-calming methods.

"If the project gets off the ground, the swimming pool will be 25m, with a toddlers' pool and wave machine.

"There will be a change of view for some homes, but the loss of a view is not a material consideration in planning."

Ian Hopley, project manager for the council, said: "We have received Susan Chester's petition and will be setting up a meeting with her and Persimmon Homes to go through every point on her petition."

The council's cabinet will be given the results of public consultation in March.

If an agreement is reached with the council, Persimmon Homes will draw up detailed plans, and hopes to submit a planning application in the second half of this year.