FRESH moves to develop a controversial pigeon business in east Cleveland have been blocked.

Members of Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council's planning committee turned down a scheme to create a pigeon stud in Brotton - despite ward councillors pleading for jobs.

The decision was the latest move in a long-running saga involving pigeon lofts owned by Kenneth Wren.

Councillors considered a new application from Mr Wren in a wrangle which has been going on since last summer.

In June, he was given nine months to move pigeons from a 100ft long loft at Shepherds House Farm after councillors decided the building was too big for the Heritage Coast landscape.

Mr Wren then wanted to create a stud for racing pigeons, breeding up to 500 birds with around 50 pigeons a week being despatched to fanciers. He said the scheme would create three jobs.

Some residents objected to the plan, but the Royal Racing Pigeon Association said the scheme was agricultural diversification.

Planning officers disagreed, saying that although Mr Wren lived in a bungalow on the site, he did not live at the farm itself.

Planning officer Doreen Mealing said the situation had not changed since councillors last considered the matter.