A CONTROVERSIAL plan to demolish one of Middlesbrough's oldest buildings is to be decided upon today.

Middlesbrough Borough Council's planning committee is being advised by council officials to approve the plan to demolish The Ladle, a pub in a mid-Victorian building on Ladgate Lane, Middlesbrough, and replace it with a modern style pub, hotel and drive through restaurant.

The original building, known as Brackenhoe Hall, dates back to the 1860s and lies between the Prissick Sports fields and Stewart Park. It was built by the first mayor of Middlesbrough, Henry Bolckow, one of the key figures responsible for the development of the town.

The plans show the hotel will have 40 bedrooms and will be a two storey modern style building. The drive through restaurant will be a single-storey building, and could be open from 7am until midnight, seven days a week.

The council's proposals have met fierce opposition from many people including the Marton Avenue Residents' Association, Marton Community Council and the Stewart Park and Marton Heritage Group.

Ian Graham, chairman of the residents' association, said: "This is a unique building to Middlesbrough and we are not at all happy with the plan to demolish it."

Residents are also concerned about increases in traffic and say they have many problems already turning right on to Ladgate Lane. They added that this has not been helped by the recent closure of The Grove. They also said they are concerned about the loss of visual amenity to the area.

Residents question the logic of bringing in another fast food outlet to the town when Middlesbrough has been designated as a Health Action Zone.

The borough council's libra-ry services department said it wants to take photographs and be given the chance to preserve historical relics if the demolition is to go ahead.

The council has said there is no pattern of development in the area and officials believe that with a careful choice of materials and landscaping the area could be improved.

Planning committee members are visiting the site this morning, and will return to the town hall this afternoon to make their decision