ANGER: Protestor Jim Willis, pictured in June last year, over proposals to build houses on Coatham Common
A SEAFRONT in the region
could be transformed beyond
recognition with the erection of
a 100m viewing platform, if a
newly-formed charity has its
way.
The Coatham Common area, in
Redcar, east Cleveland, has been
targeted by Red Carpet Development
as a prime site for an innovative
leisure scheme.
Later this month, the organisation
is to unveil its radical
plans for the town, which include
cafe and bars, as well as the eyecatching
100m revolving viewing
tower. There are also plans to install
a statue of former Redcar
MP Mo Mowlam on the site.
A public meeting will be held
to showcase their ideas for the
site, which has been the subject
of a bitter planning dispute.
John Wilkinson, a founding
trustee of the charity, said: "The
planned development, called
Coatham Beach, will feature an
iconic centrepiece in the shape of
a 100m tall revolving viewing
tower, which also incorporates a
giant-drop white knuckle ride.
"This will be the only attraction
of its kind in the UK and certain
to put the town once again
on the tourist map."
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The group is focusing on the
area following a protracted legal
battle between Redcar and Cleveland
Borough Council and local
campaigners, who have tried to
block a proposed £55m housing
development.
The protest went as far as a
judicial review last December,
which overturned the council
decision to approve the Persimmon
Homes scheme.
Red Carpet's proposal, covering
15 acres of the area, plans to
offer indoor and outdoor attractions.
Among the ideas are specialist
shops, bars, cafes, restaurants,
a swimming pool and a
replacement for the Coatham
Bowl complex.
The scheme, which has been
drawn up by Project Control Associates
and Sherlock Boswell
Architecture, will also benefit
from a new boating lake, a wildfowl
and wetlands centre, 150
apartments and a new toilet
block.
However, Councillor George
Dunning, leader of Redcar and
Cleveland Council, believes the
organisation would benefit from
speaking to the local authority
about its plans.
He said: "It's a peculiar situation
where this organisation is
proposing all these schemes but
not talking to us about them. We
are always here and we are happy
to talk to anyone about proposals
for the borough. All they have to
do is get in touch and we could
possibly work together."
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