PLANS to help a kitesurfing business on Walney have been put on hold.

Chris Ainsbury, of Earnse Bay Kitesurfing, applied for planning permission to install a portable building next to the toilet block at West Shore Road.

Council officers suggested it be allowed but the decision was deferred following a vote by Barrow Council's planning committee.

Some committee members raised concerns about the location for the portable building, which would be used as a base for the business, including a classroom and store.

Charles Wilton, the council's principal planning officer, said the site was chosen because the building would then not be overly prominent in the landscape.

Cllr Anita Husband told the hearing at Barrow town hall that she had no problems with the business or the application, calling it 'brilliant'.

"I'm definitely not against the Portakabin, my only concern is the site location," said Cllr Husband, the Labour councillor for Walney North.

She was backed by planning committee member Iain Mooney who also said he supported the business.

But he too shared the view that the location could be better, rather than disturbing the land it would go on.

Cllr Mooney, the Labour member for Parkside, suggested a spot further along next to the car park to make it more accessible.

Cllr Les Hall, however, disagreed and suggested there was no vegetation of any significance where the applicant planned to put the unit.

"I really don't see a problem with the location at all," said Cllr Hall, the Conservative member for Newbarns.

Mr Wilton told the committee that siting it next to the public toilets would be ideal for convenience and it would not lead to a loss of parking spaces.

But Cllr Therese Assouad, the council's official spokesman for leisure and tourism, also suggested it go a bit further away where there was less vegetation.

Cllr Bill McEwan said that with the committee uncertain about the right location, it would be better if councillors deferred the decision to a later date.

It was agreed to postpone the decision to allow further talks with the applicant about a new site.