THE University of Chester has announced it will appeal against a controversial council planning decision that could force it to stop using the Thornton Science Park campus.

Last week Cheshire West and Chester Council's planning committee decided, in a 7:4 vote, to refuse a retrospective change of use application for six buildings on the park's campus.

The proposal came about after the Health and Safety Executive ruled the nearby location of the Stanlow Oil Refinery put students and staff at too much risk.

The decision put the future of the Thornton Science Park, opened in 2014 and said to be a key element of the Cheshire-Warrington Science Corridor, in doubt.

Now the university has said, through a statement on its website, it will be appealing to the Secretary of State against Cheshire West and Chester Council's decision.

Thornton Science Park tenants, staff and students will continue to be informed of progress.

The university said: "When the university acquired Thornton Science Park, it received professional advice from Cheshire West and Chester's planning officers that it would not require planning permission for change of use.

"This was because the previous owners, Shell, had been granted a special kind of planning permission which recognised the unique, or 'sui generis', nature of the site, catering for research and development alongside industry.

"This situation has arisen as result of the university and Cheshire West and Chester Council, at the suggestion of the council, working together to put in place a Local Development Order (LDO) at Thornton.

"An LDO would permit specified types of development at the Thornton site without separate applications for planning consent being needed.

"The university's proposal relates to six of the 60 buildings on site, including the library, laboratories, lecture theatres and workshops."

The university added: "Thornton Science Park is too important for the university, the wider region and national commercial interests to accept the council’s decision without challenging it.

"The university is disappointed with the council's decision but recognises that the planning application is just the beginning of the process and the yniversity is appealing to the Secretary of State to overturn Cheshire West and Chester Council’s decision."

Following the council's ruling, planning committee chairman Cllr Gill Watson added: "The application was refused on the basis that the site's location, adjacent to the Essar Oil Refinery, lies in close proximity to hazardous installations and therefore poses an unacceptable risk for an education use on the site.

"This was a difficult decision, however, the health and safety of our residents is our first priority, so after careful consideration and having sought guidance from the Health and Safety Executive on this matter, we have taken the decision not to approve this application."