PLANS for a housing development in east Cleveland look set to be dropped by the local authority.

Plans for the development in the Redcar, Marske and New Marske area have attracted controversy because local people fear the three areas could lose their individual identities, and the green- belt land surrounding the area will be reduced to a green wedge.

Earlier this year, the issue was discussed at an examination in public as part of the consultation and discussion on the new Structure Plan for the whole of the Tees Valley.

But hundreds of people wrote letters and signed petitions against the proposals and now the authority is likely to back the view of the Government-appointed panel which held the examination in public that there is not the need for the houses.

The issue will be discussed at the next meeting of Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council's executive