AN MP has joined residents in objecting to a “bridge to nowhere” that could be built by private school over the River Tees.

A plan by Yarm School for a wooden footbridge to be exclusively used by its staff and students will be recommended to go ahead at a meeting today, despite more than 200 formal objections.

Among those opposing the bridge, Dr Paul Williams, MP for Stockton South, has stated the project to link the school to eight new sport pitches on Tees Heritage Park land would “lay the foundation for more houses”.

In 2013, Stockton Borough Council rejected proposals from Yarm School to create 11 pitches and a pavilion on land on the east bank of the Tees, opposite the school, in the wake of strong opposition from residents.

Yarm School has now submitted a renewed proposal that it says takes into account the views of councillors and residents, with eight pitches instead of 11 and without public access to the footbridge, which would be gated.

Dr Williams said: “I have spent time listening to residents of Yarm, Eaglescliffe and Egglescliffe as well as meeting with David Dunn, the headmaster of Yarm School.

“I have to support the residents in their objection to the project as it stands, and have written to the planning committee to share my views and urge them to reject the proposal.

“The current proposals are for a private footbridge, not accessible to local people. A footbridge in such a beautiful area of our region should be for everybody to enjoy.

“There also needs to be more done to reassure the local community that the bridge will not lead to development of Tees Heritage Park and lay the foundation for more houses to be built on Green Lane or Aislaby playing fields.”

Around 70 letters of support for the scheme have also been submitted, with the planning committee being recommended to approve the plan.

The school’s playing fields are not located on the Yarm site, meaning pupils have to walk or travel in minibuses to take part in outdoor activities.

The planning committee meeting where the proposal will be voted on will take place today in the Stockton Library at 1.30pm.