A ROW over the future of a children's club has taken a new twist.
Tithe Barn Tots has already been served notice to quit St Bartholomew's parish hall by landlords the Church of England.
But councillors had delayed a decision to allow the club more time to try to buy the premises.
Now the C of E has lodged an official appeal for non-determination, alleging that the council has taken too long to decide on their application to create 11 homes on the parish hall site.
A government inspector may now be asked to decide whether the outline plan should go ahead.
The news is the latest development in what has become a bitter saga, with club founder Cath Renton and the church blaming each other for the failure to reach a deal.
More than 600 Westhoughton residents have signed a petition urging the council not to allow the loss of the child care facility but under planning rules this may not be used as a reason to turn the application down.
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