PLANNING officers have set out reasons for refusing the latest proposals for Jumbo.

Councillors at a planning committee last week turned down a £3 million scheme for offices, flats a museum and restaurant within the iconic Victorian water tower.

They voted by seven votes to three to oppose the project but in accordance with council protocol deferred the details of the decision to a later date.

This is done whenever councillors go against a planning officer’s recommendation to ensure the decision is sound.

A report to the committee meeting next Thursday states the application could legally be refused on the basis the harm to the building caused by the proposal has not been proved to outweigh the ongoing harm caused by leaving it empty.