A BIG extension to a Scarborough school is set to go ahead despite objections from neighbours who have protested that noisy pupils will destroy their privacy.

St Augustine's RC School, in Sandybed Lane, wants to build a science and general teaching block as part of a new development to cater for an expected rise in the number of pupils.

But residents in nearby Box Hill say the development should be built elsewhere on the school campus and the design is out of character with the area.

"Noise will be a particular problem at lunch and play times", they have told Scarborough Council's planning department.

They said: "The development will devalue our house prices."

The residents claim children will use their driveways as a short cut to the school and roads in the area are already congested.

But the council's head of planning services, Gordon Somerville, says in a report to the central urban development committee: "The design is considered acceptable."

He added: "We cannot demand an alternative site for the science and teaching block and it is not considered that the amenity of nearby residents will be materially affected by the development."

Meanwhile, Yorkshire Coast College, in Lady Edith's Drive, Scarborough has submitted plans for a sports hall and football pitch. But the planners say they cannot support the present design and are urging the college governors to go back to the drawing board.

St Martin's Church of England School in Scarborough's Holbeck Hill is set to get permission to build a new library, ICT suite and staff room.