THE controversy which surrounded the demise of one of Richmond's most popular businesses seems set to return to haunt the district authority this week.

The owner of the town's Garden and Farm Supply Centre claimed he was forced to close when Richmondshire District Council announced it would be changing the terms of the lease of the old station buildings, on the banks of the River Swale, last year.

The land is earmarked for leisure in the authority's local plan and Mike Pattison was adamant it had been made clear to him - despite 27 years at the location - that a garden centre was no longer thought appropriate on the site.

Despite a public outcry, his business closed its doors for the last time just before Christmas, putting 15 people out of work.

Throughout the turbulent and often acrimonious debate, the council's officer team claimed it was Mr Pattison who decided not to renew the lease on the building, even though he was within his rights to do so.

Senior council officials were hoping to draw a line under the issue once the garden centre ceased trading.

However, with a mystery firm now waiting in the wings to take over the site, a fresh challenge has been tabled by Councillor Clive World.

He will be pressing for an investigation into the council's handling of the affair, when the authority meets tomorrow night.

"What I hope to achieve is to tie up the loose ends on this sad state of affairs," he said yesterday.

"A well-respected businessman may have finally given up the Garden and Farm Supply Centre, but there are still a few questions which need to be asked."

The council has called a private meeting to discuss the potential buyer for the site on Wednesday night.

Councillor World added he would be urging the authority to hold as much of the debate as possible in the open.

"We've already been criticised for being too secretive," he said. "It concerns me that people with an interest in this matter won't attend if they think the debate is going to be in private - and will then be dismayed if they subsequently discover it was actually discussed in the open.''