PLANS for a sports and leisure centre on green land at Ingleby Barwick have been turned down following an eleventh-hour safety report.

Scott Leisure hoped to build a Mister Twister's complex on the corner of Ingleby Way and Thornaby Road.

Planning officers had already recommended refusal of permission for the centre before a meeting of Stockton Borough Council's planning committee on Wednesday.

They considered the proposed complex would be an incursion into a wedge of green land and would have a detrimental impact on the area.

But an objection by Northern Gas Network, received on the morning of the meeting, sealed the developer's fate.

Northern Gas said the proposed development was too close to a major high-pressure gas pipeline and above ground installation, according to guidelines laid down by the Health and Safety Executive.

Barry Jackson, the council's development control manager, said this meant the application was contrary to Stockton council's local plan.

Neil Scott, business development manager for Scott Leisure, said the company had complied with earlier recommendations from Northern Gas and asked if the council could defer its decision to allow more discussion.

But committee chairman Councillor Mick Stoker said: "No, it would not alter the decision."

He then put the matter to a vote and members agreed unanimously to refuse planning permission.