CAMPAIGNERS are stepping up their fight to block plans for a housing and business development on a Teesside conservation area.

A petition containing 4,500 signatures from residents has been handed in to Stockton Borough Council, which acts as planning authority in dealing with proposals to develop Bowesfield Farm, Stockton.

Following a special council meeting at Norton's education centre on Saturday, where the outline proposals were approved by councillors, campaigners vowed to continue to object.

The issue will now go to the Secretary of State for a final decision.

Under the proposals, the designated green wedge is earmarked for 120 homes, offices, call centres and a hotel and fitness club, bringing up to an estimated 1,200 jobs to the area.

The Banks Group, which is behind the development, says the area has been built on before so is now a designated brownfield site.

According to Government guidelines, the land can be built on because it is classed as "previously developed" following extensive works for topsoil extraction by the former Teesside Development Corporation.

Bryan Moore, founder of English Environment, which works to preserve wildlife on Teesside, said the area should not be developed.

He said: "This is one of the last habitats of its kind on Teesside and it would be criminal if it was to be destroyed.

"It would mean the extinction locally of a number of wader species.

"Banks are saying it is a brownfield site, but it has never been designated as this before."

Jan Arger, chairman of the Council for the Protection of Northern England, Stockton branch, said it was possible that the development would not bring the number of jobs which had been suggested.

"People will move from existing premises and away from the town centre."

The Banks Group says it will set aside 37 acres of land for nature conservation, including the creation of new marshes, wetland and grassland.

It plans to create a wildlife park on the flood plain, land that cannot be developed at any time in the future because of the risk of flooding.

A company spokesman described the Bowesfield proposals as the "best mix of nature conservation and econ- omic development".