A LORRY repair business is moving from Richmondshire to Middlesbrough following a planning row.

Mr Neil Arnold, whose commercial vehicle body shop has operated at Pinkney Carr farm, Manfield, near Richmond, for almost two years, said local pressure had forced the company out.

Now he and six employees, who all lived in the Richmond area, would have to travel to the new base at Middlesbrough wharf.

Temporary planning permission to allow more lorries to use the site was refused by Richmondshire District Council at the beginning of October in spite of officers' recommendations that it was the best way to tighten up conditions imposed as part of a previous permission, which it was alleged, had been breached.

The decision followed pressure from residents of Manfield and nearby Cleasby, who were concerned at the volume of heavy traffic using quiet lanes.

An enforcement notice was to be drafted by the authority following allegations that Mr Arnold failed to improve the access and allowed more lorries to the farm than agreed.

Mr Arnold said he always intended the leased Manfield site to be a temporary base but felt victimised and had moved the business earlier than expected.

New jobs due to be created at the company shortly would go to the Middlesbrough area rather than Richmondshire, he added.

"This planning business has been going on for almost a year now and, at the end of the day, we have decided to relocate, although we feel a bit aggrieved and victimised," said Mr Arnold.

"We are a legitimate business. It is alleged that more lorries than agreed are coming to the site but we have no evidence to suggest that is the case."

Coffee time

THE Richmond support group for the Butterwick children's hospice holds a Christmas coffee morning at the King' Head hotel next Friday, 9.30-noon. Cards and gifts will be on sale and there will be a cake stall and a raffle.

Entry of £1 includes coffee or tea.

Let's dance

AN OLD time dance is held in Newton le Willows village hall tonight with Steve the accordionist; admission £2 including tea, biscuits and raffle.