I have met with representatives of Lidl, local Labour Ward Councillors for Acklam, Park and Linthorpe and Paul Clarke the Head of Planning at Middlesbrough Council. I made it clear how angry local people are about the art college site being developed as a supermarket.

We all made the case that the felling of 160 year-old trees in the dead of night was appalling and they left in no uncertain terms that local people are organised and opposed to any supermarket.

They plan to bring forward a planning pre-application at the end of the month and a consultation exercise will begin in the New Year. Thank you to Philippa Storey and all the local Councillors who are leading on this.

Rest assured we will keep working on this on your behalf.