CONTROVERSIAL plans for further development at a site in Redcar took another step forward last week, despite concerns of local planners.

The site, at the former gas depot on Thrush Road, has been at the centre of controversy after members of Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council's planning committee were forced to accept the development - including the building of a McDonald's drive-thru restaurant opposite homes in nearby Hanson Street - because planning officers changed the original plans without informing councillors.

A meeting of the committee on Thursday agreed an application for the building of three non-food retail units on the site to go with the existing drive-through restaurant and a petrol station, but expressed concern at the problems the application had caused.

Coun Peter Spencer said: "I do feel that there has been a change of play in this site from the outline permission and we have got into problems."

Coun Vera Moody said: "The application has been a farce from start to finish. My fear is that all we are told is that it is three non-food retail units and we don't know what is going to be put into those units in the future."

At the same meeting the committee refused an application from McDonald's for an extension to current opening hours