PLANNING councillors in Hambleton have been warned they are "driving a coach and horses" through policy over a brewery relocation scheme.

Members of the development control committee have agreed to let Hambleton Ales use cash from a homes project to finance a move out of the area.

Earlier, it was decided to let funding be used, provided the firm found another site within Hambleton district.

But a deal over land at Busby Stoop fell through and Hambleton Ales said it could not find another suitable location.

The committee deferred a decision until alternative sites had been explored. The company has since found a site at Melmerby, in Harrogate district, but wants to stick to the agreement over funding.

The council's head of development control, Maurice Cann, said: "To facilitate relocation of the brewery, we proposed a condition to require the firm to be up and running locally before the Holme-on-Swale site was redeveloped as homes.

"Staying local was defined as being within the boundaries of Hambleton, but the brewery was unable to find a site other than at Melmerby, which is in Harrogate district.

"The firm wants to re-word the condition to allow relocation as jobs are still local and Hambleton Ales will still benefit the local economy.

"Simply, the business has outgrown its site."

Hambleton Ales founder Nick Stafford told the committee: "All my employees live in Hambleton and will continue to do so and we expect more jobs in the Hambleton district.

"My passion and commitment to Hambleton can only bring further benefits."

Coun David Murkett said: "We should support this brewery which bears our name and let it get on with serving the public and making jobs for this area."

But Coun David Smith said his earlier concerns on the matter had not changed.

"We are contravening planning policy to allow this. We are driving a coach and horses through it," he said. "There are sites available in Hambleton. Not enough time has been allowed to find alternative sites."

Coun John Coulson agreed they were going against policy.

Mr Cann said: "The applicant is not going to the Lake District or South Yorkshire. We would struggle to sustain an argument in these circumstances."

Coun John Morley said: "On economic balance this should be supported - with regret."