WILDLIFE campaigners have criticised plans for a nine-hole golf course on the site of a quarry inhabited by endangered species.

Rare breeds of bats and newts live at the water-filled Barwick Quarry, near Ingleby Barwick.

Now developers have submitted plans to build a golf course, club house and restaurant on part of the area.

Protestors say the area, on land north of Quarry Farm on the banks of the River Tees, is a designated green wedge and should be protected because it is a Site of Nature Conservation Importance.

Badgers, great-crested newts and Daubenton's, whiskered and pipistrelle bats inhabit the quarry.

The Council for the Protection of Rural England (CPRE) says the development threatens important species that have a small foothold in the area.

Jan Agar, Teesside spokeswoman for the CPRE, said: "The plan doesn't appear to consider the importance of this site.

"The quarry provides essential habitat to protected species like the crested newt and other local wildlife and there is also a likelihood that ancient hedgerows would be removed to make way for golf course routes.

"It's a green wedge area, and as such the basic principle of a golf course may be suitable, but we see no way that a restaurant or shopping facility should be considered.

"Both would distract from the unspoiled tranquil landscape that exists now."

Outline plans for the 30- hectare site also include a pro-shop, greenkeeper's store and driving range.

The floodlit driving range gives the CPRE more cause for concern.

Mrs Agar said: "That driving range could be open to eight at night, so the floodlights could seriously impinge on the quality of life of people living nearby."

The proposals were submitted to yesterday's Stockton Borough Council planning meeting but a decision was deferred for a site visit at a later date.

An officers' report to councillors recommended approval and said the proposal was an appropriate use of green wedge land, providing ecological surveys were carried out before work starts.