Moves to build a new secondary school in Middlesbrough for pupils with severe learning difficulties have been given the nod by councillors.

A new school will be built beside the existing Discovery Special Academy primary school in Acklam for 70 pupils aged 11-16, with the aim of providing a pathway on the same site on Sandy Flatts Lane. The town’s planning committee met on Thursday to vote on the plans.

Members heard from the headteacher of the school, Jennifer Duncan, as well as an objecting resident who, among others, had raised over parking issues and additional traffic along the road. Addressing the meeting, he said the parking situation at times was “just crazy” and “ridiculous” and there are “potholes everywhere”.

“The road needs widening,” he told the committee. The resident also claimed when consent was granted for the primary school in 2021, a section 106 agreement was made committing to replanting of trees lost on the site.

“This has never been done,” he said. However, head of planning, Paul Clarke said the section 106 agreement attached to the previous application related to highways mitigation measures.

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Headteacher, Miss Duncan, told the meeting there are dedicated staff in high-visibility jackets at the gates with vehicles directed into the school car park. They also monitor vehicles parking on the highway, she said.

The committee was told by an officer that Sandy Flatts Lane meets the appropriate guidance in terms of width and there is “no reason the road could not service additional development.” It was also noted that potholes were a highways maintenance issue and “outside of the planning process”.

The majority of councillors at the planning committee voted to accept the proposals, giving the green light for the new school.