MORE than 150 people turned out to protest against controversial plans to build flats in a seaside town.

At yesterday's site meeting, councillors had to use a tannoy to communicate with residents opposed to the building of 22 two-storey flats at Wheatlands Farm Cottages in Redcar Road, Redcar.

Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council planning committee deferred a decision on the application.

Developers Cleveland Housing Aid Trust are being asked to amend the design.

Protestor Julie McFadzean said: "We are pleased it has gone back to the drawing board.

"Our main objection is that we don't want a huge monstrosity built there.

"We would prefer it to be broken down into semi-detatched houses so it is more in keeping with the area."

Planning committee chairman Councillor Peter Spencer, said: "I think the residents will be pleased it's gone back to the drawing board."

He said the committee felt it was out of keeping and did not blend in with surrounding properties.

"It would be more in keeping if there were more blocks than the proposal," he said.

"If we had refused it outright, there would have been the possibility of an appeal, and rather than just refuse, we are asking the developer to reconfigure the design."

The trust's general manager, Harold Eddy, who has promised that the flats will only be rented out to people aged 45 and over, said: "We are considering making the changes required and I can't see any difficulty, although I need to speak to my architect.

"We have put in a lot of time with residents and we are eager to get things right."