A DISUSED former gas storage site looks set to be transformed into a recreational area for people that live in the local community.

The site, in Riverside Road, Richmond, is now expected to be turned into a open space for the public, together with a play area for children.

The scheme has emerged as the preferred option for the site, which was bought from British Gas by Richmondshire District Council three years ago.

Covenants included within the transfer deeds had stipulated that the land could only be used as public open space or a car park, and that any scheme had to be completed by May 2004.

The car park option was further restricted in that if car parking was created, then existing parking space within 400 metres of the site had to be converted to an equal amount of open space.

Planning officials have now plumped for the open space option - although they point out that does not preclude it being converted into car-parking should the chance arise in the future.

About £50,000 has already been allocated within this year's capital budget for the site's redevelopment, although about £5,000 of that has already been spent on surveys, designs costs and planning applications.

A further benefit of the open space option is that the existing building on the site, which is currently used for storage by a charity which donates furniture to the needy, can be retained.

A report to the council said that analysis of the car park option showed that significant changes would be needed to suit the requirements of the development control department of the county council.

And the extent of hard-standing needed would also have raised concerns over "run-off water" affecting the nearby river Swale. Measures would be needed to create a soakaway or to hold the water in a tank with a controlled release system, all of which would add unanticipated costs to the option.

The furniture store would also have had to be partiality demolished, forcing the charity to make alternative arrangements.