PLANS to erect eight giant floodlights close to a city's world heritage site have been scrapped following residents' objections.

Durham School submitted the plans as part of an application to convert its rugby pitch, next to Archery Rise, into a multi-sports pitch.

It wanted to broaden the area's use by making it suitable for hockey, netball and tennis, and available to the local community.

To increase the amount of time it could be used, the school wanted to erect eight, 13m (42ft) floodlights around the pitch's perimeter.

But its first application to Durham City Council was turned down, with planners raising concerns about their impact.

After the school resubmitted the plans, residents voiced fears that the area would be invaded by dazzling light.

They also complained that too few local people had been informed of the scheme.

After collecting 218 signatures on a petition against the development, John Billinge, of Archery Rise, handed it to the council this week. But about the same time, a letter was sent out telling people that the plans had been modified to exclude the floodlights.

Mr Billinge said: "The 218 signatures were after the event, but at least the pressure was there, showing that many people were against it."

Durham School headteacher Neil Kern said the application had been amended when it became clear that the objections to the floodlights could not be overcome.

He said: "We have known from the outset that floodlights were going to be a very touchy issue with the planners. The lack of floodlights will reduce our use of the pitch and its availability to the local community, and that's a great pity."

The amended application had been submitted for discussion by the council on October 23.