Car parks plan sparks anger

Richmondshire District Council is proposing to sell Station Road car park and part of York Square car park in Richmond.

Officers say the council needs the money to pay for its new headquarters in Colburn. The project is expected to cost from £4m to £4.5m.

But community and business leaders have dismissed the plans as damaging to Richmond's economy.

Philip Wicks, chairman of Richmond Business and Tourism Association, said: "There are not enough car parking spaces in the town to begin with, so the loss of existing parking spaces is a development we would not be in favour of."

He said it would hamper Richmond's aspirations as a tourist and business destination.

"While we understand the need for the council to fund its move to Colburn, it does not appear to have the long-term interests of the town at heart with the decisions it is making."

Richmond town and district councillor Stuart Parsons described the plans as a 'intriguing joke. He said: "It feels like there's a deliberate plan to run down Richmond.

"This is degeneration rather than regeneration.

"How can we have a vibrant market town when all we seem to be getting are kicks and shoves in the wrong direction?"

Council officers say 17 flats with car parking could be built on York Square car park. Space would be left for 17 public parking spaces and a picnic area, but there would be no space for the coaches that currently park on the site.

Officers say 24 houses and flats could be built on Station Road car park, which is currently used by council staff during office hours.

The fate of the car parks will be decided at a meeting of the council's resources committee this week.

Councillors will also be asked to formally approve the sale of the authority's five offices in Richmond and land in Gatherley Road, Brompton-on-Swale, all to fund the new headquarters.

The meeting will be held at 6.30pm on Thursday in Swale House, Richmond. Members of the public are welcome to attend.