PLANS to extend a cycle path to encourage pupils to ride their bikes to school were approved yesterday (Wednesday May 8), despite strong objections from local residents.

Darlington School of Maths and Science applied to extend the existing path that runs along nearby Cocker Beck into their grounds and to add motion-sensor lighting and a new gate to provide better and safer access for students cycling to school.

Several letters of objection were submitted to the council ahead of the planning meeting held yesterday, with those living nearby fearing the development would increase noise and anti-social behaviour in the area.

One said: “I believe that the installation of motion-sensored lighting along the footpath/cycleway will only encourage unsavoury characters from the Branksome area to cause trouble on the Mowden estate.

"We have suffered enough during day light hours and I have reported several criminal activities to the police in the past, mainly concerning school age children.”

Darlington Borough Council’s planning committee approved the development, with the condition that the gate is built in a way that would discourage children from climbing over it.

Joe Millican, whose house will overlook the path, attended the meeting to voice his objections but said such conditions would go some way to addressing the fears of residents.

He said: “A lot of the problems we mentioned will hopefully now be waylaid and if the school will listen to our concerns then we are willing to work alongside them. Kids will be kids but when my wife and neighbours start to get upset, we have to say something.”

Neil Johnson, deputy head at the school, said: “I am quite happy that the planning application has gone through and that the residents’ fears have been allayed. I’m happy as well that as a result, there will soon be an increase in the number of students walking and cycling to school.”