A BIKE track owner is appealing after spending £19,000 on failed planning applications.

Steve Harrison is preparing to submit another document to make his motorcross track, at Urlay Nook Road, Eaglescliffe, legal.

He says the site has been used for more than ten years.

But the original owners had not filed for correct planning permission and Stockton Borough Council requested that Mr Harrison submitted a retrospective application.

That was rejected after appeals from neighbours over noise levels.

"I've been fighting this for more than two years," said Mr Harrison. "I've spent £19,000 and I'm exhausted. All I want is to provide somewhere safe for people to ride their bikes."

Mr Harrison accepts that there are noise levels from the adult-sized bikes, but has reduced the amount and size of the engines.

No one was available for comment at Stockton council's planning department