A MULTI-MILLION pound scheme to redevelop part of Redcar took a step forward yesterday.

The £35m scheme to revamp the Courts area was approved by Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council's planning committee, despite objections from residents.

The scheme will involve the demolition of 214 houses, the Roseberry Square shopping centre, Riverdale Infant School and the loss of open space.

A total of 560 homes will be built in five years, which will include housing association and affordable housing - which has been identified as a need in the town's long-term plan.

Councillor Helen McLuckie, chair of the council's planning committee, said: "This scheme represents a fantastic opportunity to breathe new life into this area of Redcar and link in perfectly with our major redevelopment proposals for Redcar town centre and the Kirkleatham Business Park.

"With any development of this scale, there is bound to be a degree of concern, particularly with the loss of open space. But we have commissioned an independent environmental impact assessment, which backs up our view that the scheme's benefits are worth losing some of the existing open space."

Dr Joan Rees, the council's director of economy and environment, said: "The scheme will make a major contribution to the regeneration of Redcar as a whole and provide significant community benefits to the local area, including the replacement community facilities and the removal of the existing Courts."

Because the application represents a departure from the council's local plan, it has now been referred to the Government Office for the North-East.