RESIDENTS have given their verdict on multi-million pound plans to redevelop some of Teesside's most historic sites.

More than 120 people commented on ideas to develop the Heugh Gun Battery and the derelict Manor House, on Hartlepool's Headland.

The North Hartlepool Partnership is leading the development after receiving £7.7m from regional development agency One NorthEast.

At a two-day consultation last week there was enthusiastic support for upgrading the battery to include a visitor centre.

However, the idea of converting the Manor House into a Christian heritage centre with an underground tunnel to Heugh Battery received a mixed reception.

The Grade II-listed manor house, a former friarage, contains evidence of a 13th Century settlement of monks and there is also evidence of an early Christian Saxon community in the area.

The idea to build a 'time tunnel' to the battery and a viewing tower caused concerns about safety and disruption.

Others said there was already a visitor facility being created at St Hilda's Church.

However, the plans to restore and build a visitor centre at the Heugh Battery, which returned fire when the Headland was bombarded by the Kaiser's navy in the First World War, received strong support.

Derek Gouldburn, North Hartlepool Partnership manager, said: "All the comments will be taken into consideration. Most of the proposals are still at an early stage."

The North Hartlepool Partnership, which is made up of a number of community groups, plans to write to every resident on the Headland to extend the consultation.

The partnership received money from One NorthEast three years ago and has previously worked on a number of projects in the area.