A BIKE track owner is appealing for common sense to prevail after spending £19,000 on failed planning applications.

Steve Harrison is preparing to submit yet another document to make his unique motorcross track, in Urlay Nook Road, Eaglescliffe, legal.

He claims the site has been used for more than ten years, supporting riders young and old.

But the original owners had not filed for correct planning permission and Stockton Borough Council requested that Mr Harrison submit a retrospective application.

That was turned down after appeals from neighbours about the noise levels of the bikes.

"I've been fighting this for more than two years," said Mr Harrison.

"I've spent £19,000, and I'm exhausted. All I want is to provide somewhere safe for people to ride their bikes.

"But there are a few people who have got together and collected petitions against what I'm doing.

"I want to tell them I am working with the council to make this safe and satisfactory for everyone."

Mr Harrison accepts that adult-sized motorcycles make noise, but he has reduced the number of bikes and the size of the engines.

Cleveland Police have supported the site in the past, saying it is somewhere youngsters can go and ride their bikes legally.

"If this site gets closed down," said Mr Harrison, "There'll be hundreds more kids riding about on the streets and school fields."

Working alongside solicitors Blackett Hart and Pratt, Mr Harrison, whose father originally helped build the site 12 years ago, aims to educate people living nearby.

He wants to tell people about the coaching lessons he is involved in, and how he wants to come to a mutual agreement with residents.

"I just want the planning department to look at this in legal terms. Because it has been running for more than ten years, the site has a certificate of lawfulness.

"But in previous planning meetings, councillors have voted against my plans because of the residents' views.

"There is a small group of people dead set against what I'm doing, but if they just saw what could happen if I wasn't here, they may be more supportive."

There was no one available from the council's planning department to talk about the application yesterday.