A PLANNING application to build two detached houses on land north of the Old Coach House, in Tosside, has been deferred for clarification on future use.

The outline application submitted by Mr and Mrs JV Drachenberg was recommended for refusal by Craven District Council planners who said the site was not considered to be a sustainable site for residential use and was in conflict with policy SP4.

Aaron Drachenberg, son of the applicant said he was to be one of the occupants. He had lived in Tosside most of his life and wanted his sons to grow up there too.

Speaking on his behalf, parish councillor Hayden Fortune said a similar application at nearby Wigglesworth had been approved recently.

He said Tosside was a growing village with the family bistro a successful business and the nearby Gisburn Forest cycle trail becoming increasingly popular and attracting many visitors.

Planning officer Ros Parker said there was no mention of local occupancy in the initial report and said the application could only be determined on its merit. She said there was nothing to stop the applicant from reapplying with future information and clarity over the use of the houses.

Planning committee members said they were minded to approve the plans and were reluctant to refuse them in this instance.

They voted for a deferral to allow the applicant and the officers to discuss the possibility of a 106 legal agreement for local occupancy use of the homes.