A PRIVATE school has hit back at criticism that it is "selfish" for wanting to use an "idyllic mini-national park" for itself following the sale of its land to housing developers.

Yarm School wants to create a replacement school playing area at Tees Heritage Park on the northern bank of the Tees, in nearby Egglescliffe.

However, as previously reported in The Northern Echo, four community groups in the area have written to school governors to protest, and Shane Sellers of Egglescliffe Area Residents' Association called the school selfish.

Mr Sellers argued the proposals could ruin Egglecliffe and damage a natural wildlife area, possibly cause flooding problems as well as bring traffic and congestion problems to the area.

Ya rm School has also been criticised for wanting to sell off its playing fields off Green Lane to allow developers to build up to 735 new homes.

In a lengthy statement Ya rm School and Nathaniel Lichfield and Partners, planning consultants, pointed out that Ya rm School's plan to relocate to Kirklevington was turned down by Stockton Borough Council. Its proposals include a new footbridge for public use over the River Tees, connecting Ya rm more generally with a new public park.

Ya rm School headteacher David Dunn said: "Yarm School has a very strong sporting tradition and ethos. These plans represent a tremendous opportunity for the school to enhance its sporting facilities and achieve excellence in a location much closer to the senior school. But more than that, over half the site will be opened up for public access and recreation."