A Northallerton businessman fears a planning hitch could hit his plans to revive a well-loved site in the town.

Nick Fordy, managing director of the FT Construction Group, has welcomed being given the green light to convert a former maternity hospital into corporate headquarters for his expanding firm.

But he is also worried that lack of a decision on another key planning issue could stop the urgently-needed redevelopment of The Mount in Yafforth Road going ahead.

However, a council planning chief said the ball was in Mr Fordy's court.

Last week, members of Hambleton development control committee approved plans for conversion of The Mount, a listed building which has fallen into disrepair.

But the FT group cannot move from its current base at North End until councillors decide on a scheme to put a Homebase store on that site.

That and another application for a DIY store at the site of the Sundial Hotel were recently deferred by the committee amid a range of concerns.

The B&Q scheme is the subject of an appeal and a public inquiry was recently held in Northallerton.

Councillors are worried about traffic congestion and the proposed demolition of a row of cottages near the FT site.

Mr Fordy said this week: "We understand the need to consider carefully the traffic aspect of the proposed re-use of the North End site. But we believe that use by Homebase, with properly-constructed access, will not significantly add to vehicle movements in that area."

Mr Fordy's main concern was that a lengthy delay in consent for re-use of his outgrown premises will have a knock-on effect.

"This could prevent our start on converting The Mount into our new HQ where we will preserve the familiar frontage and behind it construct sympathetic, modern offices," he said.

The company employs 300 staff in North Yorkshire and Cleveland and has 60 workers at its Northallerton site, a figure which could rise to 100 when the new HQ is complete.

Hambleton Council head of development control, Maurice Cann, said: "There is a link between development of Mr Fordy's site and The Mount, but that cannot be paramount when it comes to determining the future of the present FT site.

"There is work to be done on the High Street site before it can proceed and some of that needs to be addressed by Mr Fordy and his people."

With regard to the row of cottages, he said: "The ball is in their court. I have spoken to their agent and we await further developments."

* See also page 5.