Parents have breathed a sigh of relief after controversial plans for 20 flats outside a school were put on hold.

Worthing Borough Council’s planning committee deferred a decision on the proposals to regenerate the Jolly Brewers pub in Clifton Road, Worthing.

Committee members cited “insufficient information submitted about the sustainability of the proposed building” behind the postponement decision and have requested further information.

Parents and children protested outside the meeting over the plans to build the flats so close to Heene First School.

Objectors say the plans would restrict play space options for the school and mean extra classrooms would have to be built on the school’s current play area.

Campaigner Alan McKinney said: “The good thing about the decision is that we will have a bit more time to regroup and assess our options.

“We are going to get a petition together to try and speak at the next county council meeting and lobby education member Jeremy Hunt directly.

“We all thought it would get approved on Wednesday night so it was a slight shock it wasn’t.” It is expected the decision will now go back before the committee again on July 23.