MULTI-million pound plans to build two new schools have been agreed by councillors.

Work is due to start later this year on an integrated learning campus in Saltburn, which will see the creation of a new Huntcliff secondary school.

A new Saltburn Primary will also be created on one site to replace the current school, which is split between Marske Mill Lane and Upleatham Street.

The masterplan will create Saltburn Learning Campus by 2008 - bringing together both new schools and a new children's centre. Funding is already in place for the children's centre, due to open in June, but a further £11.5m allocation for both new schools has been made by the Department for Education and Skills.

This represents 80 per cent of the project's cost, with the remaining 20 per cent to come from the sale of the surplus sites.

It is hoped the 520-place secondary school will open in September 2008, with the primary school ready for pupils the following year.

The children's centre will provide integrated services and support for families and a base for Langbaurgh Primary Care Trust.

The first phase of the scheme will be building the secondary school, then linking the two new blocks - the humanities block and a resource centre, including a library and an ICT suite. The existing secondary school will then be demolished for parking space.

Redcar and Cleveland Council's planning committee approved the outline application on Wednesday.

Resident Brian Whelan, of Marske Mill Lane, spoke at the meeting and said that, while he agreed with the scheme in principle, he was concerned about its overall design.

But chairman Peter Spencer said a detailed application would come back to the committee for consideration.

He said: "We are very intrigued with the design - whether it is going to be acceptable or look like an eyesore we do take a great deal of interest.

"Rest assured, when it comes back we will take a detailed consideration of all the design to make sure it is acceptable for both the site and visual effect."

Saltburn councillor John Robinson raised concerns over dangerous parking outside the school and an increase in traffic, and suggested a school travel plan should be considered.

Speaking after the meeting, Ruth Headdon, head of Huncliff, said: "We are delighted and it is the next stage towards developing out Saltburn Learning Campus and extend opportunities for children and adults in the local wider community."