A QUESTION mark was this week hanging over a controversial scheme to revamp a village hall.

The plans for the building at Liverton were approved by Redcar and Cleveland councillors after a site visit last week.

But yesterday the scheme - which split the village - was back on the agenda because incorrect information had been given to the planning committee.

A last-minute call to the council raised the question of councillors being advised that consent was not needed for demolition of a wall at the front of the hall.

It has been suggested that this was a material fact in members reaching their decision to approve, a decision which might have been different if planning permission was needed.

Because no formal notice had yet been issued, the planning committee was yesterday being asked if members wanted to review their decision.

A council spokesman said: "It was felt this action was appropriate in an exceptional case."

The village hall committee had submitted plans to spend lottery cash on moving the entrance and installing an open porch. A ramp for disabled people was also to be fitted, along with seating and a drop-off point.

Objectors claimed the drop-off scheme could pose risks for children and felt the development in general would harm the conservation area.

There were also objections to proposals to demolish the wall to allow the scheme to go ahead and then rebuild it using the original stone.

At its meeting last week, the committee was advised that planning permission was not needed for this part of the project. Under planning guidelines, it seems this might not be so clear cut.

There has also been a complaint that the committee was not told the wall was in keeping with Liverton's conservation area.

Officers are still recommending approval of the scheme, which has been dogged by controversy.

Another possible snag surfaced when it emerged that Liverton had important medieval connections.

Tees Archaeology said it was a well-preserved two-row village of 11th or 12th century style and one of the most complete examples to survive.

The green which is overlooked by the hall could have been the site of a medieval farmstead.

Tees Archaeology said it would like to investigate anything which might be found at the site.

But most objections centred on the village hall wall which will be taken down during the first phase of the works and replaced in modified form.

The village hall committee and other objectors were told of the latest development in the planning process.