MOVES to relocate a college to a town centre park are bad form, according to residents.

Stockton Borough Council wants to knock down Billingham Forum and replace it with a new leisure centre in John Whitehead Park as part of a £30m redevelopment plan.

But the latest proposals for the development suggest moving Bede Sixth-Form College, in Hale Road, to the site as well - and residents say that would be a disaster.

Barbara Jones, of nearby Tintern Avenue, said people felt angry that the proposals for the three-storey college building and car park had suddenly appeared on the plan.

"It was a complete shock to a lot of people. Bede College has a lovely big site already with ample room to build on and expand. If it comes to the park we will lose all that open space forever.

"Most people could accept the need for the leisure centre but the college would mean much more of the park was built on and eventually we'll end up with no park."

Another resident, who would not be named, said: "A leisure centre I could go along with. But the college will cut much deeper into the park. Why put it there?

"The council keeps saying everyone is favourable but I have yet to meet anyone who thinks it is a good idea."

Low Grange Residents' Association agreed at a meeting last week to write to Stockton Council and Billingham Regeneration Partnership urging them to pull the plug on the plan.

Secretary Geoffrey Harrison said: "People feel there will be nothing left of the park if the college goes in there. A lot of Billingham people are proud of that park."

A Stockton council spokesman said questionnaires had been delivered to every house in the town asking people to comment on the proposals. "No decisions have been made yet," he said.

But Councillor Barry Woodhouse, vice-chairman of Billingham Regeneration Partnership, admitted that if the money could be raised for the scheme it would be built in the park.

"An earlier consultation we did showed that 68 per cent of people wanted the leisure centre in the park. The park will be developed. The decision is definite."

People have until Monday to comment. For information call the Billingham Regeneration office on (01642) 360150.