A PRIVATE school has won its appeal over a controversial Tees footbridge and playing fields development.

Yarm School will be allowed to create 11 pitches on land on the opposite bank of the Tees along from Egglescliffe, over the river from the school.

The Planning Inspector has also approved plans for the footbridge, which will span the river and give the school access to the facilities – but the bridge will be for school use only.

Stockton Borough Council had refused the application amid strong opposition from residents living nearby.

Concerns had been raised about the impact of the development on the landscape, potential anti-social behaviour problems, congestion in the tiny village of Egglescliffe, noise pollution and – the biggest concern to residents – the possibility of the plans unlocking land for housing.

David Dunn, Head of Yarm School, said: “We are naturally delighted that the consistent recommendations of the planning officers have been vindicated and this protracted matter has been resolved.

“This sees the culmination of a long-held vision. At present the time taken for pupils to reach the existing sports fields uses valuable lesson time.”

He said work would be carried out ‘sensitively’.

Shane Sellars, of the Egglescliffe Area Residents Association, which has campaigned against the plans for six and a half years, in a bid to protect the Tees Heritage Park, said the decision was ‘disappointing’.

He said residents were concerned that the development would be the ‘thin end of the wedge’ and feared it would unlock the whole area around the playing field for further developments.