Up to 150 people attended a special meeting last night to discuss a huge scheme to transform the town centre with a new superstore, housing and modern community facilities.

Much of Station Road will be flattened if the scheme goes ahead, sparking concerns about the future of an existing post office, shops and two social clubs.

Council bosses denied one woman's suggestion that the ambitious revamp was "signed, sealed and delivered," stressing that intensive public consultation and lengthy negotiations would take place before any work started.

But concerns were expressed about the role of small traders in the town and compensation for residents moved elsewhere.

David Slater, South Tyneside Council's executive director of regeneration and resources, said: "This is a proposal – it is not set in stone.

"But Hebburn is a vibrant community, a growing town, and it needs a shopping centre it can be proud of."

The council's preferred developer of Tesco, Bellway Homes and Gentoo will take the scheme forward, but it could be several years before a brick is even laid as part of the huge makeover.

About 200 new homes would be built as part of the revamp, including social housing by Gentoo, with the council revealing it also aims to attract developers to build on land in School Street, Hebburn.

One trader was worried about the prospect of retail giant Tesco moving into Hebburn town centre, saying: "This is my livelihood and the future
seems uncertain.

"Things are tight at the moment, but when you are dealing with a monster like Tesco, it could be very difficult to survive on their terms."

But Mr Slater said the council was "very keen to see a spread of businesses" in the new-look Hebburn town centre, although he could not guarantee what the ultimate retail mix would be.

Some residents from existing maisonettes in Hebburn Newtown said more should be done to upgrade their properties, ahead of any revamp of the centre.

One resident told the meeting, at St Aloysius Church Hall in Bell Street, Hebburn: "We are living in a hovel, and we don't want our children living on a building site."

And there was loud applause when one speaker called on the council to "see to the tenants first".

Fears were also voiced about the future of both Hebburn Protestant and Conservative Club and the Iona Club, both in Station Road, which are
earmarked for demolition.

But the regeneration plans do allow scope for social clubs or pubs, plus a new library and a one-stop community facility.

One trader feared Hebburn would be dominated by the Tesco superstore, but it was revealed the store would not be as big as Morrisons in Jarrow.

The council stressed the scheme is long-term and could possibly be delayed by legal challenges or compulsory purchase negotiations.

Hebburn-born Coun Eddie McAtominey, who has pressed for a revamp of the town centre for many years, told the meeting: "With your support, we shall have a town we can all be proud of.

"I want to see a queue of people waiting to be housed in Hebburn – and that's going to happen."