COUNCIL members last night agreed to rule out the sale of one of the car parks at the centre of the Richmond sell-off row.

The future of the Station Road car park was secured when Richmondshire District Council's resources committee voted to remove it from the proposals put forward by council officers.

The car park had been part of a package of plans suggested to fund a move to a purpose built £4.5m headquarters in Colburn.

But to cries of "shame on you" from residents, a majority of councillors supported a motion to investigate further the sale of the York Square car park.

Earlier in the meeting, councillors had agreed not to market any of the assets, including the York Square plot, until a detailed business case had been compiled.

Officers had recommended selling it and land at Gatherley Road in Brompton-on-Swale.

Under the proposals, 17 flats with car parking would be built on the York Square site.

Space would be left for 17 public car parking spaces and a picnic area, but there would be no space for coaches, which currently park on the site.

Councillors meeting last night at the Zetland Centre, in Richmond, also agreed that a detailed business plan, showing what the space and IT requirements were for the new building at Colburn, should be produced before a final decision is made.

They also called for the exact efficiency savings that would be made by the move to Colburn to be quantified and for professional help to be sought on a design and build option.

The motions were put forward by Councillor Wendy Morton and seconded by council leader John Blackie.

He said more information was needed to prevent the council from "shooting in the dark".

But Colburn councillor Lyn Miller said: "There is going to be no money left. It is all going on professionals and consultants."

Council officers announced the proposal to sell the car parks, land and the office buildings in Richmond three months ago. Since then, the plans have attracted criticism from business leaders, residents, coach operators and the town's MP, William Hague.

He urged the council to find ways of financing the move to Colburn other than selling the car parks.

Members of Richmond Business and Tourism Association said the car parks should be kept for the long-term prosperity of the town and on Tuesday protestors presented a petition with more than 7,000 signatures to Coun Blackie.

Residents said that selling the car parks would amount to asset stripping of Richmond, but council officers said the move was needed to raise funds or the switch to Colburn because the authority's Richmond offices are cramped and impractical.

Before the debate got under way last night a solitary voice in favour of the move among 20 speakers, Colburn Mayor Tom Henry, said it would bring the district council into the 21st century.

Two previous attempts to hold last night's meeting to make a decision on the proposals had to be called off.

On the first occasion it was postponed after 400 people turned up.

The second time more than 800 people arrived and it was cancelled amid jeers and boos. Coun John Blackie had to be escorted to his car by police.

The decision was then taken to hold the meeting at the Zetland Centre, with a limited attendance of about 300.