A school is set to get the go-ahead to double the amount of security lighting in its car park after complaints it has become a regular haunt of late-night boy racers.

People living near Harrogate Grammar School, off Otley Road, Harrogate, say the car park has become a magnet for local youths.

However, some residents have protested over the plan to increase lighting as they fear it will cause light pollution.

At a meeting of North Yorkshire County Council planning committee, in Northallerton, tomorrow, officers are recommending approval for eight lighting columns to replace the existing four.

But they suggest a condition banning the lights after 10pm.

Harrogate Borough Council, which was consulted about the plan, requested there was no light spillage outside the area to be lit as this could impact on the nearby conservation area.

Planning officers say the new lights will be more efficient and would not increase light pollution.

A report from planners says the school also wants to erect gates so the car park can be closed off to unauthorised users.