A PROPOSAL to convert the back yard of a pizza outlet into flats looks set to be decided by a public inquiry.

Joe Costandi, of Regency Pizza, Northallerton Road, Leeming Bar, has appealed to the Secretary of State against Hambleton District Council’s refusal to grant planning permission for the scheme.

Mr Costandi had argued the proposal was within the development limits of the village and residential development had been accepted on the brownfield site in the past on several occasions.

He said the proposal would also secure the improvement of a dangerous junction onto a busy road.

The authority’s planning committee rejected the plan, saying it relied on roof windows which would “result in an unacceptably low standard of accommodation to the detriment of the residential amenity of any future occupier of the unit”.

The committee also found the limited external space would result in a development with a poor level of residential amenity given the proposed number of residential units.