PLANNING permission to transform the former North Yorkshire Police headquarters into a residential training centre have been quashed.

Hambleton District Council’s Planning Committee will now reconsider the applications by PGL for the Newby Wiske site, after listed building consent for the change of use was challenged by local protesters in the High Court.

The council agreed with two of the protesters' five objections.

Mick Jewitt, deputy chief executive, said: "We agree with some of the legal points raised and rather than go through a formal High Court hearing which costs time and money we have agreed to the decision being quashed and that the issues are looked at again when Planning Committee reconsiders the applications.

"While we are disappointed with this outcome we feel this is the fairest for everyone and we will save unnecessary costs for the council. Officers will now assess the applications afresh and members of the Planning Committee will then decide on the matter again."