A DECISION on whether to allow the part demolition and change of use of ‘granary’ buildings near Hellifield Peel, has been deferred to take legal advice.

The application from Wellock Property Ltd is to create a holiday cottage, glasshouse, extension and alterations, parking and access at The Granary, Peel Green.

The application was also seeking listed building consent.

The plans were due to be discussed at last week’s planning meeting, but were deferred after the committee and officers convened for a private session.

Following the meeting the committee voted to postpone determination of the plans in order for the council to ‘obtain further legal advice’.

The application had been recommended for approval, with conditions, but had been called to committee by ward councillor Chris Moorby.

The application had received 161 letters of objection, including an objection from Hellifield Parish Council which sited an inappropriate scale of development, damage to listed buildings and inappropriate noise next to Peel Barn and The Peel which would cause hard to health and wellbeing.

Historic England said it had concerns regarding the application on heritage grounds.

The plans are likely to be determined by committee at the next planning meeting in March.