PLANS to build an all-weather sports pitch at a school are to be discussed by councillors next week.

Members of Stockton Borough Council's planning committee will meet on Friday to discuss the plans for Egglescliffe Comprehensive School. If given the go-ahead the pitch would be located between the school and houses on Coatham Vale and would include eight floodlights.

A report to the meeting said: "The main problem for the school at present is that there is no formal playing pitches on the school site itself, as the main playing fields are located more than half a mile away.

"Their usage is limited for PE lessons because of the time taken to get to and from the school within the time constraints of the lesson.

"It has therefore been identified there is a need for an astro turf pitch at the school, to enrich and extend the school PE curriculum, provide new opportunities for primary schools, PE and increased community sports provision."

However, like the application for a similar pitch at Conyers School, in Yarm, there is a lot of opposition to the plans by residents whose houses back on to the site.

But parents whose children attend the school and use community facilities have given the scheme their backing and councillors have therefore been recommended to go on a site visit.

The report said: "There is much mis-information in circulation about the project, and in order for both parties to have an equal and fare opportunity of putting their case forward, it would be beneficial for the committee to visit the site."