PLANS for quad bike tracks and a community forest near Hartlepool are likely to be approved today.

Members of Hartlepool Borough Council's planning and licensing panel are being asked to approve plans for three tracks, formed with straw bales, at Brierton Farm, Brierton.

There will be up to ten bikes running at any one time.

Tree planting to develop a community forest is also proposed around the site.

However, there are concerns from neighbouring farms that the development could cause pollution and damage to wildlife.

The Ramblers' Association is also concerned that the site would be visible from a public footpath.

A spokesman for the association said: "Extra car movements will spoil the enjoyment of the paths and Dalton Back Lane for walkers, horse riders and cyclists.

"The site and noise levels will also detract from the enjoyment of the countryside."

A report to the council said: "The tracks can be formed with a minimum amount of disturbance to the land and could easily revert back to farmland.

"It would appear that quad bikes generate much less noise than a regular motor bike."

The development would provide a new type of leisure facility for the town.

Councillor Stan Kaiser, who represents Dalton Piercy, said: "There is nothing wrong with having a quad track anywhere in the town provided it does not disturb the peace and tranquillity of residents, and provided it does not do any damage to the environment."

Water voles inhabit Dalton Beck at the farm, and a 10m exclusion zone has been recommended by the Environment Agency to protect the habitat.

Herons and kingfishers also use the beck and would benefit from the exclusion corridor.

The report said: "It is recommended that temporary permission, limited to 12 months' duration, would be appropriate in the first instance in order that activities on and around the site be monitored."

Planning permission would need to be re-applied for and re-assessed after the trial period.