THE future of a village's only pub, which has split its 100-strong community, has been put on hold.

Planning officers had recommended that councillors give the go ahead for closure of The Countryman Inn at Winksley, near Ripon, and for it to be turned into a home.

However, councillors voted for the issue to be deferred for further consideration to see if any offers had been made to retain the premises as a public house.

Support and opposition to the plan was almost evenly split. Supporters of the pub's conversion said trade had been declining for several years.

An objector said a pub had been on the site for 200 years and should remain a focal point of the village.

The planning meeting, in Ripon, was addressed by David Brown, one behalf of Azerley and Winksley parish council, which objected to the closure.

Parish council chairman Reg Merrin said in a letter to planners he believed there would be a buyer if it had been marketed comprehensively and at a suitable price.

However, a report to the committee from land agents and valuers said the pub had been advertised in relevant publications and through an estate agent's website on the Internet, as well as in their regular advertising newspaper-magazine.

It stated: "Potential purchasers looking for such a property have, therefore, been made regularly aware of its availability for purchase.

"Although the business has been declining over the past few years, and especially in the light of foot-and-mouth disease, it is the size and extent of the freehold that contributes the majority of the value of this property."