A UNANIMOUS vote to block a private school from building a “bridge to nowhere” was met with a round of applause by residents campaigning against the contentious plans.

An application to build a wooden footbridge crossing the River Tees to allow Yarm School staff and students to access eight new outdoor sport pitches was rejected by all of Stockton Borough Council’s planning committee members.

More than 200 formal objections were submitted following a renewed attempt by the school to build the bridge following similar planning applications being denied in 2013 and 2017.

The school plans to appeal the decision.

Dozens of concerned Eaglescliffe and Egglescliffe residents attended a planning meeting this week in the wake of Stockton South MP Dr Paul Williams stating he could not support Yarm School’s proposals.

However, the committee all used their vote to refuse permission to build the 36m bridge, marking the latest decision in a five-and-a-half-year battle between Yarm School and nearby residents.

Sixteen members of the public spoke at the meeting to object to the bridge on the grounds that it would negatively affect Tees Heritage Park land, lead to anti-social behaviour and cause traffic problems.

During the meeting, one resident said the “application is to benefit the few at the cost of many”. She added that the riverbanks of Yarm are already a hotspot for youths to congregate to drink, smoke cannabis and play loud music.

Following the united refusal, members of the Egglescliffe Area Residents’ Association (EARA) stated the planning process had been an “extremely testing” time.

Shane Sellers, of EARA, added: “This is the fourth application that has either been withdrawn or refused by the planning and, we hope, the last.

“Egglescliffe Area Residents’ Association would like to thank you for the support you have given us over the last five-and-a-half years, a period of time that has been extremely testing but one that we all needed to be involved in to protect the Tees Heritage Park.

“Let us hope we can all move forward with our lives without having to worry about any similar applications from Yarm School and that any void that may have developed between the community and Yarm School is restored.”

Councillors on the planning committee had been recommended to grant permission for the footbridge on that grounds that “there are no adverse impacts which significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits of granting planning permission in this case.”

The school’s playing fields are located a 20-minute walk away from the main Yarm School building, off The Spital, meaning pupils have to walk or travel in minibuses to take part in outdoor activities.

Stockton Planning committee member, Councillor Sylvia Walmsley, said: “If we allow development in [the Tees Heritage Park], what the heck are doing – we should be protecting this area.”

A spokesperson for Yarm School said: “We were naturally disappointed by the decision, which was contrary to strong planning officer recommendation. 

"We note that there were no statutory body objections. We listened to the views of local people and adapted this extremely strong application for a wooden bridge leading to natural grass playing fields, which would be of significant benefit to our pupils. 

"The decision will be appealed.”