COUNCILLORS tasked with deciding whether or not to allow a village pub to be changed back into a house have decided to visit the site before they make a decision.

At a meeting of the Ryedale District Council planning committee last Wednesday, the agenda included a retrospective application to change the Royal Oak in Nunnington into a five-bedroom house. The application has proved contentious, attracting a large number of objections.

Officers have recommended approval of the change-of-use, subject to a "local needs occupancy condition", which would require any potential buyer to have a local connection.

Members will visit the site in the coming weeks.