PLANS to erect eight giant floodlights close to Durham's world heritage site have been scrapped following residents' objections.

Durham School submitted the plans as part of an application to convert its existing rugby pitch, adjacent to Archery Rise, into a multi-sports pitch.

It wanted to broaden the area's use by making it suitable for hockey, netball and tennis, and invite the local community to take advantage of it.

To maximise its usage time, the school asked for permission to erect eight, 13m floodlights around the pitch's perimeter. But its first application to Durham City Council was turned down, with planners raising concerns about their impact.

After the school resubmitted the plans, residents voiced fears that the area for miles around would be invaded by dazzling light.

They also complained that too few local people had been informed of them.

After collecting 218 signatures on a petition against the development, John Billinge of Archery Rise, handed it in to the council this week.

At around the same time, a letter was sent out informing people that the plans had been modified to exclude the floodlights.

Mr Billinge said: "The 218 signatures were after the event but at least the pressure was there, showing that many people were against it.

"I stood in the lane and talked to people and they were all too keen to sign the petition.As far as I'm concerned, the news about the floodlights is wonderful because we are not going to get that hideous glow. It's a victory for common sense."

Neil Kern, the headteacher at Durham School, said the application had been amended when it became clear that the objections to the floodlights could not be overcome.

He said: "We have known from the outset that floodlights were going to be a very touchy issue with the planners. The lack of floodlights will reduce our use of the pitch and its availability to the local community, and that's a great pity."

Mr Kern said the amended application had been submitted and would be discussed by the council on October 23.