MULTI-MILLION pound proposals to develop a marina have been deferred.

Jomast Developments had applied to Hartlepool Borough Council for planning permission to develop a business park, residential properties and a retail unit on four areas of land at the marina.

It has been anticipated that more than 1,000 jobs will be created by the plans.

However, members of the council's planning committee agreed to defer the plans for further discussions about the number of residential properties - about 900 - proposed.

They would like to see the number reduced and the amount of green spaces increased.

Stuart Monks, of Jomast, told the meeting that he was anticipating the properties would sell in the region of £200,000, which would attract people from elsewhere in the region to the town.

He said: "It will make Hartlepool the place to live, especially the marina, and will bring major development elsewhere in the town.

"We are getting a lot of interest from people who currently live in Newcastle, but work in Teesside.

"Hartlepool benefits from having a good road network. It is only an hour from Newcastle and not far from the rest of the region."

The plans, which are to be amended, will come before the council again in the next month.