DISCUSSIONS on alternative sites for a Skinningrove water treatment plant will be held with community representatives and councillors.

Northumbrian Water hopes to build a treatment system and thereby end the practice of disposing of sewage on Skinningrove beach.

But a decision has yet to be taken about the position of a plant. Possible sites include industrial land near Carlin How, two sites at the Corus steelworks, a countryside plot near Brotton Golf Club or others near residential areas.

NW has not yet submitted a planning application to Redcar and Cleveland Council. A total of ten sites have been identified and talks are planned to try to identify the most suitable.

Coun Steve Kay told the D&S Times: "Northumbrian Water has named its preferred site for the treatment works, which will receive sewage from 11,000 homes in April 2004.

"This should mean there will be no more raw sewage on Skinningrove beach. The proposed site for the plant will be on reclaimed land on the headland, which is a popular walking area and close to Carlin How.

"There are bound to be obnoxious smells from even the most modern facility from time to time, as has been experienced at Marske.

"I think it is totally unacceptable that the proposed site is so close to Carlin How. Other sites are available. My preference is the former landfill site in open countryside near Brotton.

"Placing a treatment works here would be more expensive, but it would not cause any problems with smells, because it's so far away from homes."

He said this was a case when residents' welfare and peace of mind should come before cost.

Coun Helen McLuckie, chairman of Redcar and Cleveland Council planning committee, remarked: "NW wants us to have a look at the ten sites. A consultation exercise will be held before any formal planning application is submitted.

"The site north-east of Brotton is in the middle of countryside but near to the Golf Club and Heritage Coast. We think a sewage works there would be unacceptable.

"Some other sites are too close to residential areas. However, the two sites we feel are OK are at the Corus steelworks site.

"The planning committee is going to visit existing treatment plants in operation elsewhere. We've also asked Northumbria Water to give a presentation and will go to the Corus sites. We'll also ask three members of the community to come along with us."

She said councillors had not taken a decision and no planning application was yet drawn up by the water company