CONTROVERSIAL plans to turn a former retirement home for clergy into flats have been deferred - for talks between planners, the developer and residents.

More than 50 people, Horsforth Civic Society, the Town Council and Aireborough MP Paul Truswell have objected to the conversion of the recently listed St Gabriels in Scotland Lane into three flats plus 21 more flats in two blocks.

They say that the scheme, which has been reduced from an original plan for 41 flats and also included the demolition of St Gabriel's, would be detrimental to residents of nearby Perth Mount.

Objectors add that the flats would be out of character and they would lead to more traffic in the area. Leeds Bradford Airport has also objected because the homes would be under the flight path - noisy for the occupants.

Despite the objections, the scheme, by Bellway Homes and the Diocese of Leeds, which also includes the separate building of 21 flats in two blocks, was expected to get planning permission this week.

But councillors at Tuesday's meeting of Leeds City Council's Development Control Panel West, who visited the site before the meeting, decided there was enough concern to send the scheme back to the drawing board.

Panel chairman, Coun Malcolm Bedford said there seemed to be agreement that something needed to be done with the site.

"Residents have concerns. They would prefer to see something done with the site, they don't want to see it go to ruin, but they are not happy with the proposals put forward.

"I got the feeling from the site visit that the developers will look at some of the things that were said at the meeting.

"It is about coming to a compromise and I would like to see officers, the developers and residents come together and come up with something for the site rather than refuse it out right."

Coun Phil Coyne, (Lab, Otley and Wharfedale) had called for the application to be put back after he raised concerns about the building of car ports and bin storage close to Perth Mount.

The Panel agreed to defer the application to allow further talks between the developers, residents and planning officers.