AN application to move an auction mart from its home after almost a century will go before councillors later this week.

But it will be recommended that the decision on whether to allow Thirsk auction mart to move to a new 20-acre site should be deferred.

In a report to Hambleton District Council, planning officer Tim Wood said there were "serious weaknesses" in the argument for the mart to move from its Station Road site.

The new mart would be situated off the A19 bypass, where it meets Blakey Lane.

As well as two auction rings, the £2.5m development would also include covered animal handling, retail facilities, a site manager's house and an outreach educational centre for Askham Bryan College.

Carter Jonas Property Consultants, the agents for Thirsk Farmers Auction Mart, said the present site was too small and unable to accommodate the buildings required for existing business and future growth.

In a letter to the council, John Goodwin, of Carter Jonas, said: "Leaving aside the problems of redeveloping the site while keeping the auction mart working, it is clear that the possible acquisition of adjacent land ... would simply not provide enough land, even if the site, shape and location was adequate."

Six other locations for the mart were examined, including industrial land at Dalton Airfield and land off the A1 at Sinderby, but the Blakey Lane site emerged as the clear leader.

However, the application falls outside the development limits for Thirsk and Sowerby - which means any new development must "meet the social and economic needs of rural communities" to be acceptable.

In his report, Mr Wood said: "The quality of evidence to illustrate that the existing site could not be redeveloped is still poor. No detailed feasibility study has been undertaken. There are serious weaknesses in the case for relocation."

Mr Wood has recommended deferral so that the applicants can provide more information.

Persimmon Homes has obtained outline planning permission for about 150 homes, a quarter of which will be low-cost housing, on the mart's present site.

The application will be heard at a meeting on Thursday.