A TRAVEL plan aimed at curbing staff car use must be agreed by council officials before a development can go ahead near Ripon city centre.

Ripon Council for Voluntary Service has been granted planning permission by Harrogate Borough Council planning officers.

But a condition makes it clear no work can start until a travel plan has been submitted and approved by the council.

The site, in Allhallowgate, is close to Ripon's market place where car use is being discouraged as part of a revamp of the square.

Meanwhile, the travel plan for the voluntary group's site must show measures to reduce cars used by staff to the site. It must also spell out measures to increase overall use of public transport, walking and cycling to the site.

The car curbing moves are outlined in a planning report and have been imposed as part of conditions linked to the planning application.

The report says the travel plan must also address the number of existing and proposed parking spaces, including disabled parking, and facilities for the safe storage of cycles.

Meanwhile, planning approval has been given to convert a redundant hospital wing at Sharow View, Allhallowgate, into a community centre.

It also involves a link extension, fire escapes, external alterations, revised vehicle access parking, landscaping and external lighting