A ROW over a £570,000 seafront complex, which is standing empty, is to go to court.

As a 2,000-name protest petition was fixed to the front of the Saltburn's empty Foreshore building, demanding that it is opened, after it was revealed that legal proceedings will be taken against one or both of the companies involved in its construction two years ago.

Businesses were expected to begin moving into the premises this summer, but a dispute has arisen as to who is to blame for the problems of damp.

South Bank, Middlesbrough builders SGW Construction, and architects Jane Darbyshire and David Kendall Limited, of Newcastle, both deny they are at fault.

Councillor Dave Fitzpatrick, cabinet member for leisure with Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, yesterday revealed the local authority would intervene. It will carry out essential repair work and then go to court to recoup the money spent.

Coun Fitzpatrick said: "The council are actively taking this into their own hands. What we have had to do in the past is allow the architect and builder reasonable time to repair the damp, which they have failed to do.

"It now leaves us to do the work ourselves and to take legal action after. We have taken special barrister's opinion on this.''

The council has called in damp proof experts to resolve a problem of water seeping into the building from a slope behind it.

Following the remedial work, Coun Fitzpatrick said: "We will take proceedings against the architect or builder.''

Built two years ago as part of a Saltburn Improvement Company initiative, the building includes a restaurant, two shop units, changing facilities for surfers and a meeting room.

The facility was paid for with money from the European Regional Development Fund, Northumbrian Water and One NorthEast.

Coun Fitzpatrick said: "We are going to take it forward with the intention of getting it ready for next season. We are going to make sure we do our best.

"It's frustrating for the council and expensive for the ratepayer.'