Four of the ships have been moored in Hartlepool since 2003

Earlier this month, Hartlepool Council deferred its decision over Able UK's proposals to upgrade its Graythorp yard for decommissioning vessels.

But the firm has since threatened to pursue costs from the council over two multi-million pound contracts which it says are being threatened by the delay.

The local authority's planning committee will now meet on 25 October.

In 2003, Able UK won the contract with the US Government to dismantle up to 13 vessels.

Four ships arrived that year, but delays caused by environmental and planning concerns prevented the remaining nine leaving the James River in Virginia.

Last October, Hartlepool councillors threw out planning applications by Able UK to decommission all the vessels at the Graythorp yard.

But the firm launched an appeal and a public inquiry into the plans is ongoing.

Wind turbines

However, after Hartlepool Council admitted that fresh government policy meant it could no longer block planning permission, the applications were resubmitted.

Even if a final decision is made on 5 October, it will come too late to save the order for the further nine vessels as the US government has since renegotiated the contract.

The Graythorp proposals include construction, repair, refurbishment and decommissioning, the manufacture of wind turbines, and an application to work with hazardous substances.

The Environment Agency has already withdrawn its objections, but Friends of the Earth claim local residents' health could be affected by the work.