Traders in Settle are still awaiting their fate after a planning application by Booths supermarket to have trading restrictions lifted was deferred for a retail impact assessment.

Craven District Council’s planning committee met in closed session to discuss the application on Monday, stating that there were legal issues in the report which could not be made public.

However, those wishing to make representations were able to speak before the discussion.

Tom Algie, who owns a shop in Settle Market Place and is chairman of the newly-formed Settle Traders’ Forum, said lifting the trading restrictions imposed on Booths when planning permission was first granted would have a huge impact on businesses in the town centre.

He said it would particularly affect those who had just opened new businesses and had borrowed money to do so.

“It is up to Booths to prove the restrictions are unnecessary,” he said.

Coun Ian Robinson, the chairman of Settle Town Council said the town council supported Booths’ application.

“We understand the traders’ concerns, but we feel that they can be mitigated if Booths was to win this application,” he said.

“It would seem to me that Booths, who in our experience have been very good to us, are very flexible and I would consider them honourable traders. I think a series of meetings could be held between individuals and traders.

“It is not in Booths’ interest to have a desert in the centre of Settle that does nothing. A vibrant Booths and a vibrant sustainable town centre is important for both of us,” said Coun Robinson.

Graham Booth, property director for the supermarket, said: “We believe our development in Settle has been a great benefit to the community and would like to be able to continue to invest in the store. In order to do this we only ask to be given the same status in Settle as we are in other towns.”

Members of the planning committee deferred determination of the application and asked Booths to provide details of a retail impact assessment upon which they could make an informed decision at a later date.

Mr Algie said the Settle Traders’ Forum was happy that an impact assessment had been requested as it would highlight the effect that lifting restrictions would have on local businesses.

“Booths clearly now understand that there is considerable opposition to a blanket removal on all the restrictions and I think they will be back with an alternative suggestion,” he said.

Planning officers will now write to Booths to outline the planning committee’s decision and await further instruction.