A CONTROVERSIAL three-year battle to build an Aldi superstore on a disused hospital site has taken an unexpected twist.

Councillors threw out the application, despite it being recommended for approval by planning officers.

But campaigners hoping to preserve the North Riding Infirmary were left disappointed when it was made clear that the buildings would be demolished on safety grounds.

This is the third time the plans have been rejected by Middlesbrough Borough Council's planning committee, despite extensive revisions of the details of the building.

The German-owned food chain has faced numerous objections from people in Middlesbrough who believe the plans do not suit a town centre "gateway" location and a 7,200-name petition was handed in to planning chiefs.

Two ward councillors for Gresham, where the store would have been built, gave conflicting opinions of the scheme.

Councillor Ken Walker told the meeting he was in favour of the application. He said: "For three years, people have had to put up with the building and it is now in a dilapidated state."

But Councillor Barry Coppinger, who handed in the petition, was strongly opposed to the scheme.

He said: "I don't think it is an appropriate location for this development. The hospital site is intrinsically important to the people of Middlesbrough."

Councillors were not swayed by the argument put forward by the chairman of an association of nearby residents.

Edna Donnelly, of the Newport Area Residents' Association, said the empty hospital was regularly targeted by thieves and vandals, and had blighted the lives of people living near the site.

Councillors voted four to one to reject the proposed scheme, which was to create a supermarket, an additional retail unit as well as a 53-bedroom hotel.

Simon Plumb, who represents Aldi, said: "We will reflect on what has been said and take it from there."

Despite repeated attempts, campaigners have failed to get the infirmary placed on the Listed Buildings Register, and the property's owner, Aldi, confirmed that it intend to start demolition work in the near future.

The firm still has the option of appealing against the decision and taking it to the Planning Inspectorate.