A LICENCE bid for a proposed pub/restaurant development in Durham's former police station has been delayed further.

Businessman Richard Lazenby's application for a drinks licence for the planned Cathedrals establishment in the Victorian-built station in Court Lane, Old Elvet, initially aroused widespread opposition.

Objectors included two nearby church groups, a neighbouring publican, the police, Durham University, and residents in the vicinity.

But a charm offensive by the Teesside-based sausage company founder, which has included leafleting the area and meetings to reassure objectors over the nature of his plans, has reduced the weight of opposition.

Nevertheless, the licence application is still opposed by the police, and a contested two-day hearing at the city's magistrates court, initially scheduled for April, then put back to later this month, has now been further delayed to be heard next month.

Mr Lazenby plans to invest £2.8m to transform the 23,000-sq ft former police station, into what he claims will be 'a unique food and drink experience.'

He believes some of the initial objectors had misconceptions over the type of establishment he is striving to create.

He said: "When objectors found out that the pub area is only a small part of the complex, which mainly includes high-quality eating areas, then we felt that many of their fears and concerns were allayed."

Mr Lazenby's plans include a restaurant, a coffee house, in-house bakery and grocery, with gift shop, plus a micro-brewery and bar serving pub food.

Work is well under way on the conversion, which has planning permission from the city council.

City licensing justices will hear the application on August 1 and 2.