COUNCILLORS have pledged to consult the public further on proposals to knock-down Billingham Forum.

At a meeting of Stockton Borough Council's cabinet yesterday, councillors supported the Billingham Regeneration Partnership Board's proposals to redevelop the town centre.

The proposals - which include building a supermarket on the Forum site and providing a sport and leisure complex at nearby John Whitehead Park - were drawn up after extensive public consultation earlier this year.

However, the proposals currently only exist as a broad concept and are subject to agreement of the full council on January 10.

Further work will then take place to enable them to be drawn into firm plans with more public consultation.

At yesterday's meeting, Councillor Bob Gibson, leader of the council, said: "The Forum building is well past its sell by date so doing nothing is not an option.

"No decisions have been taken yet about the commercial theatre, whatever happens will depend on funding.

"The multi-functional facilities in John Whitehead Park could include performing arts facilities, which may provide a venue for the kind of acts that appear at the moment. But at this stage it's all subject to funding and further debate."

It is unlikely that any development would start for three to four years and the Forum will continue to offer leisure and sporting facilities in the meantime.

John Davey, managing director of Riverside Leisure promotions Ltd, which runs the theatre in the Forum, said: "The post codes within the Billingham geographical area, according to our attendance returns, are the highest users of the theatre.

"In fact, Billingham residents account for one in six of all visitors and not the ten per cent reported.

"We do note that the consultants feel that it is necessary to liaise with ourselves for the future.

"But we feel we have been already badged as only being a commercial organisation who has no part in or does not care for the local community."