A NEW motorway service area for the region could be a step nearer.

The Richmondshire authority and the county council held differing views on a site when Westminster was considering upgrading the A1, between Dishforth and Barton, in the early 1990s.

County Hall favoured Scotch Corner, while the district council wanted to see something built at Catterick.

However, after the Government revised its transport policies and announced an upgraded A1 was at least another decade away, local opinion also had to be revised and Barton emerged as the preferred location for the services.

Outline planning permission has already been granted - but there has been little development since.

However, Chartergate Estates has now submitted an application to the planning department in Richmond, which includes new buildings, parking and landscaping at the current Barton Lorry Park.

The district authority's planning team will now compile a report on the project ahead of a vote by the council's planning committee later in the summer.