The Coatham development will include homes and leisure facilities

Redcar and Cleveland Council says the �55m Coatham Enclosure redevelopment will provide housing and much-needed leisure facilities.

It claims opposition could lead to the loss of over �40m of inward investment.

However, opponents say the council has no money for the leisure facilities, and the housing scheme is high risk.

The planned development would include 250 new homes, a hotel, visitor tower and bingo hall.

'Non-stop aggravation'

Protestor, Chris McGlade, said that selling off the land to a housing developer would not generate sufficient funding.

He said: "They have consistently fed people the line that we are going to have all these leisure facilities in the town yet they don't have one penny in funding for these.

"I have this from cabinet document which was given to members of the cabinet council before a meeting earlier this month.

"This shows that not only do they not have funding but the key element of their scheme and plan is high risk, very doubtful and not guaranteed."

However, Councillor Vera Moody, cabinet member for economic development said that they had support from a number of outside bodies.

She said: "This is a project which will be delivered over several years.

"Of course there is work to do on our side of the funding, but we see no reason at all to be pessimistic about this scheme.