A MAJOR planning application has been delayed because of a corrupted computer file.

Councillors had been due to rule yesterday on the proposal to convert the Palace Theatre into student flats – a move which could endanger the £40m extension of the Kingsgate Centre.

But Kirklees Council’s Huddersfield Planning Sub-committee voted to delay a decision after a last-minute objection using a faulty computer programme.

Simmy Sekhon, who owns the Palace Theatre on Kirkgate, wants to convert the historic building into 87 student flats, a bar and a restaurant.

But WD Huddersfield already has outline planning permission to demolish the historic building – except the facade – to allow the £40m Kingsgate 2 plan to go ahead.

The proposal would increase the size of the shopping centre by 50%, creating 23 new stores and up to 900 jobs.

Yesterday council officers asked the sub-committee to defer a decision on the flats plan.

According to an official document: “An objection has been received including video clips using visual simulation software, showing traffic operations on Kirkgate.

“Unfortunately some of the files were corrupted.”

The objection was received on Tuesday evening, less than 48 hours before the sub-committee meeting.

Councillors voted seven to five to defer the student flats decision.