PLANS for the indoor shopping village, Christchurch Emporium, are still awaiting a decision more than a year after it opened.

Last year, officers recommended the proposal for the old Mostyn’s factory in Bridge Street should not get planning permission, pending further information.

At the time, planning officers said they were awaiting more information from the agent on the change of use proposal.

And six months later, the council say they are still waiting for the required information, with no change to the recommendation to refuse.

A spokesperson for Christchurch council said the Retail Impact Assessment was “inadequate”, and more information had been requested.

A meeting took place between the Emporium’s planning agents and council last week.

Helen Harris, planning agent with Tanner and Tilley said her client was complying with the council requirements regarding the application.

Last week, the Daily Echo revealed potential plans to demolish the adjacent Civic Offices and leisure centre, and build a riverside marina with housing, shops and restaurants on the site.

This is understood to include the Mostyn’s site and gas works.

Christchurch Emporium opened in April 2015, and claims to have more than 140 sellers of items including antiques, furniture, toys, decorations and clothes.

The proposal for the former Mostyn’s workshop is applying for a change of use to retail, cafe, office and conference space.

At the time the application was predicted to take around 13 weeks to complete.

It is not the first delay the scheme has had, with a long wait for initial validation documents from the applicant, which prevented it being published on the council’s website.

The Emporium had a turbulent start, after a dispute between its two directors led one to seek advice from insolvency experts.

When it opened, concerns were raised by a handful of Christchurch traders over the lack of planning permission.

A date for a decision has not been set.