CONTROVERSIAL plans to solve a car parking crisis at the Friarage Hospital should be given the go-ahead this week, according to council planners.

They have recommended that the proposed 82-space car park on part of the Bullamoor Memorial Park, Northallerton, should be approved.

The extra car parking is needed because of the £18m re-development of the hospital, which started in January. Construction work has seen the loss of 50 staff spaces.

Northallerton town councillors turned down a plea from South Tees NHS Trust to use the site, but an agreement was reached following a series of meetings.

The plans would see the existing hardstanding area at the north end of Bullamoor Memorial Park extended to provide 82 car parking spaces.

It would have a lockable, manually-operated barrier and be separated from the rest of the park by a series of perimeter bollards.

The car park would be accessed from Forest Road and be used Monday to Friday between 8am and 6pm.

The site would be returned to its former condition in the summer of 2006 when the development work is completed.

Project manager Ian Roberts said they need to provide replacement car parking off-site as part of the planning approval.

He said: "We have had some queries about the temporary car parking.

"It will be designated for hospital staff holding a car park permit and it isn't planned that this would be an external pay and display area."

South Tees NHS Trust has submitted a draft travel plan to the council to try and reduce the number of staff driving to work. It recommends that cycle lockers be installed, a car-sharing scheme be implemented and continual monitoring of car parking.

The trust has also formed a transport working group to raise awareness on green travel issues.

Hambleton District councillors will consider the plans on Thursday.