PLANNERS have rejected the latest bid to convert part of an abandoned York pub into flats - overruling their own planning officers in the process.

A planning case officer had recommended that developer Tri-Core should be allowed to convert the upper floors of The Jubilee on Balfour Street into three flats. The proposals would have left the ground floor as a pub, with a function room on part of the first floor.

But despite the recommendation, The Press understands that planners voted 10-1 last week to reject the scheme. Campaigners who want to turn the whole building into a community pub say they are 'over the moon' at the decision.

"The vote was almost unanimous in our favour," said Lizzy Whynes, spokesperson for The Jubilee Community Pub group. "It shows that our hard work did indeed pay off. We are extremely happy."

The pub has been empty since 2016, and was partly damaged by fire a few weeks ago.

It was declared an 'asset of community value' in 2016 and campaigners say they offered to buy the building, but that their offer was rejected by Tri-Core.

Lizzy said the group would be contacting Tri-Core soon to open a dialogue on the future of the pub.

Tri-Core director Dominic Woodward said the company was 'taking stock' before deciding on the best way forward.

This was the latest of several attempts by Tri-Core to get planning permission to convert part of the building into flats. At one point it appealed against a refusal of its application - only to lose. It then submitted a revised application.

Ward councillor Kallum Taylor said: “Having spaces for communities to enjoy together is a precious, powerful, and (sadly) an increasingly rare thing. In the right hands, and with the right business plan, The Jubilee can still thrive both as a pub and community space for the Leeman Road area."

Dr Duncan Marks of York Civic Trust, which opposed the Tri-core application, added: "This is great news for the local community. Credit to the Council for putting the needs of the community first. We hope the owner and the community can now put their differences behind them to make The Jubilee a sustainable success at the heart of the community."

He added that the decision would give heart to campaigns to save other historic pubs at risk of redevelopment, such as the Magnet in Osbaldwick, the Four Alls on the A64 Malton Road, the Bumper Castle on Wigginton Road and the Murton Arms (formerly The Bay Horse) in Murton.