A PLANNED sheltered housing project for vulnerable youngsters has been put hold after it emerged the development site has been earmarked for a transport exchange.

Broadacres Housing Association bought the former station master’s house, at Northallerton station, two years ago.

The house was demolished, with plans drawn up for a three-storey accommodation unit for vulnerable 16 to 25-year-olds, to replace the existing centre, in nearby South Parade.

Hambleton District Council’s planning committee has delayed a decision on the future of the site, while discussions are held over a possible “land swap” of the station site and another piece of land in the town.

The station site was earmarked for a public transport exchange in a council planning framework document, published in December last year.

Fred Wachsberger, of Northallerton Rail Users Group, spoke against the housing development at the station site.

He said: “Yorkshire Forward, a Government agency, has said previously that Northallerton needs a transport interchange to improve public transport services. This site is the only place near the station that it could be placed.”

Councillors agreed the sheltered housing should be situated else where.

Broadacres said it was disappointed with the decision to defer the decision for “much-needed” accommodation.

A spokesman said: “The possibility of a land swap has been explored over recent years but has not come to fruition.”