PLANS to redevelopment the former Rutson Hospital in Northallerton will no longer include the hotly-anticipated JD Wetherspoon after the pub giant pulled out.

Jomast Developments Ltd had submitted a planning application to Hambleton District Council in August 2014 to demolish part of the former Rutson Hospital in Northallerton High Street to create the pub, along with an application for a beer garden.

The application was connected to one on the same site for a Marks and Spencer food hall – but now JD Wetherspoon has said due to difficulties in carrying out the building work at the same time as M&S, the firm has had to pull out.

A spokesman for the pub chain said: “Events have conspired against us on Northallerton.

“We needed to vary the planning permission and we couldn't get a decision from the planners.

“Simultaneously, the vendor for our site was contractually bound to build the M&S to the rear of us.

“We could only build our site whilst the M&S was being constructed as we required access over the M&S land which wouldn't be permitted when they were trading.

“Consequently this meant that we had to withdraw from the transaction. We remain keen to open in the town and are open to any new opportunities.”

Northallerton residents took to Facebook page Northallerton Views to voice disappointment, although some were pleased to see the back of the chain.

One user said: “Thank goodness for that - they may be cheap but the independents would have suffered big time.”

Another added: “What a terrible shame, was really looking forward to getting a nice clean, friendly Spoons!”

A spokesman for Jomast Developments Ltd said: “It is obviously disappointing JD Wetherspoon has decided to withdraw from this exciting development particularly as we had been working with them for more than three years on this project.

“In collaboration with Hambleton District Council and English Heritage we have designed an attractive and sensitive conversion of this important Grade II listed property and are confident we can soon secure an alternative occupier.

“We are well advanced with the adjoining M&S food hall development which will be key to regenerating this part of Northallerton.”

Mick Jewitt, executive director of Hambleton District Council, said: “This news has come totally out of the blue to the council and whilst we are extremely disappointed that this development is not going forward at this site, we would be happy to work with JD Wetherspoon should other opportunities arise in the town.”