REDCAR and Cleveland Council has welcomed a High Court decision to block an attempt to give land at Coatham, Redcar the status of a village green.

The application by a member of the Friends of Coatham Common for a Judicial Review is part of an ongoing challenge to fight the Council's multi-million pound regeneration plans for the area.

The Council's Village Green Committee, chaired by council leader Coun George Dunning, has rejected the second plea by the Friends of Coatham Common and now an attempt to overturn that ruling, by means of a Judicial Review, has been thrown out by the High Court.

Councillor Dunning said: "As chair of that Village Green application, I am delighted. I have to say it would have been a big shock if it had gone against us."

The Council's Cabinet Member for Economic Development Coun Mark Hannon added: "We remain determined to ensure the development does go ahead. It has become a very long road indeed, with many difficulties, but we are convinced it can only be a fantastic boost to the town and the Borough."

Full story in tomorrow's Northern Echo