A scheme to build artists' workshops is likely to come before Winchester planners for a fourth time because they can't find valid reasons for refusal.
After a two-hour debate at the city council's planning meeting, the committee voted seven to six to turn down the application to change former classrooms at Southdowns, in Old Alresford, near Winchester, into art studios.
It is now likely to come back before planners once officers have decided on a reason for refusal.
Labour leader, Patrick Davies, described the deferral as "absurd".
Officers also warned that there were no valid policy or highway reasons for refusing the scheme and that the council could face problems justifying its decision at appeal.
Planning chairman, David Atwell, added: "We will have to bring it back to the next meeting and go through the whole argument again."
The scheme is to convert classrooms and stores into four light industrial units for use as craft workshops, pottery and photograph studios.
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