BRITAIN'S oldest conservation body has lent its support to campaigners fighting to prevent building on their public park.
Friends of John Whitehead Park, in Billingham, have won the support of the Open Spaces Society, which was founded in 1865.
The Friends want to prevent the building of a £20m leisure, health and cultural centre on part of the park.
Billingham Partnership Board, set up by Stockton Borough Council, wants to use money from the sale of Billingham Forum to part fund the project. A swimming pool, a library and Internet access suite, health centre and gym would be built on part of the park grounds.
The partnership suffered a setback two weeks ago when bids for £17m in private finance initiative funding were rejected by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. The council said it would now look at other ways to fund the scheme.
The Friends have vowed to fight on to prevent any building on the park and have formed an alliance with fellow conservationists the Open Spaces Society.
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