CONTROVERSIAL plans to convert a hotel into a mental health residential home have been delayed again.

Last night councillors were expected to vote on whether to allow the redevelopment of the Bear Hotel, Cravens Brow, Blackburn.

But for the second planning meeting in a row the plans were taken off the agenda.

The reason given was to allow time to decide whether a new mental health strategy for the borough should be taken into account.

Last month it was revealed fraudulent letters had been submitted to the town hall objecting to the proposals.

A decision is now expected at February’s planning committee meeting, although the applicant, Bear Hotel boss William Pearse, will have the option of taking the case straight to a costly appeal because of the delay.

Mr Pearse wants to open a residential institution for 16 to 35-year-olds with 'medium to high levels of mental need'.