MULTI-million pound proposals to build two new high schools, and carry out major improvements to a third, have won outline planning permission.

Thousands of pupils are set to benefit from the plans, which include replacing Brownhills Maths and Computing College, in Tunstall, with a £20 million academy sponsored by Co-operative Travel.

Thistley Hough High, in Penkhull, will also be completely rebuilt and Haywood Engineering College, in Burslem, will get a new sports hall, two small extensions and a remodelling of its current building.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council's development management committee yesterday granted planning permission for the projects, part of the city's £250 million Building Schools for the Future programme.

It marks a victory for Haywood, which the community fought to save from closure and which has now been brought forward to near the front of the queue for building improvements.

But both the Thistley Hough and Brownhills proposals have attracted objections. Issues raised by residents include fears over increased traffic, the visual impact on homes, and the loss of historic buildings.

The new academy in Tunstall would also take over responsibility for Trubshaw Cross playing fields. But these facilities will be improved, with a new synthetic turf pitch, and they will be available for community use during evenings and weekends.

Residents living near Thistley Hough High made a plea to the committee yesterday to introduce road safety measures in Barnfield, which already poses a danger for pedestrians because of its narrow pavements.

Thistley Hough caters for 858 pupils, but the new school would have up to 1,200, including 150 post-16 students.

Families fear the larger school will lead to more youngsters walking along this road to get to school and also trigger more traffic.

Keith Kelly, from Barnfield, has a grandson who is due to attend the new school. He stressed he was in favour of a brand new building, but had concerns over the road.

He said: "We have done our own count of children. I personally counted 30 children using Barnfield in one dinner-time."

At its narrowest point, one of the pavements is just two feet wide. "I don't think children should be risking life and limb to go to school," added Mr Kelly.

Families have suggested widening one pavement and demolishing the other, and turning Barnfield into a one-way system.

Committee members debated whether they could impose a planning condition to address these concerns. Councillor Paul Shotton, pictured below, said: "We have 47 vehicles going along there at the moment. That's got to increase to 60 or 70."

He tabled a motion, calling for a scheme to be implemented to improve pedestrian safety in Barnfield before work starts. This will now be carried out as a condition of the planning permission.

To help address issues over the loss of Thistley Hough's 1930s Art Deco building, some of the original features could be included in the new design.

Brownhills also has an attractive facade, dating back to 1927, but planners say it isn't of sufficient architectural merit to warrant protection.

The new academy will cater for up to 1,300 students. At Haywood, there will be 1,050.

Work is due to start on Haywood in autumn 2010. Work on Thistley Hough and Brownhills is likely to take place between 2011 and 2013 and could up to 24 months to complete.