CAMPAIGNERS have called for better communication from private Yarm School after it won an appeal regarding a controversial plan to create playing fields and a footbridge across the Tees.

The planning inspector ruled that despite a refusal from Stockton Borough Council's planning committee, Yarm School should be allowed to create 11 pitches on land on the opposite bank of the Tees along from Egglescliffe and over the river from the school.

The development is on the Tees Heritage Park, a stretch of land intended to be preserved along the banks of the Tees to keep the area picturesque.

The bridge will span the river and give the school access to the facilities – but will be for school use only following concerns raised by residents about anti social behaviour.

Councillors on Stockton Council had refused the application amid strong opposition from residents living nearby – who last night called on the school to communicate better with its local community.

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.

Shane Sellars, of the Egglescliffe Area Residents Association, which has campaigned against the plan for six and a half years, said the decision was 'disappointing' as he said locals now want to know exactly what the school's future plans for the site were.

He said residents were concerned the development was the 'thin end of the wedge' and feared it would unlock the whole area around the playing field for valuable future developments.

"My personal view is that there is a longer-term plan," he said. "What that is I don't know. Hopefully if there is a longer term plan I would urge the school to come and talk to residents."

He said at previous community meetings Yarm had sent consultants to represent it rather than representatives from the school who could give clearer answers to residents' questions.

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’.

The planning inspector has imposed conditions on timescales and landscaping, tree protection, lighting and on the detailed design of the bridge, as well as on construction hours and use of the bridge and playing fields.