BUSINESS people in Richmond hope they have persuaded a government inspector that no parking places should be lost from the town centre.

The town's business and tourism association was the first objector to give evidence at a public inquiry into a review of the local plan, which guides development in Richmondshire until 2006.

The hearing, before inspector Mr Neil Holt, opened at Thornborough Hall, Leyburn, on Tuesday and is expected to last until Thursday. It deals with objections lodged against several policies covering town centre schemes, parking, housing, open spaces and industrial development.

The business and tourism association was concerned about proposals to pedestrianise part of Richmond market place, at the cost of several parking spaces.

Members argued there was already insufficient parking close to shops and said they had already met the council half way by agreeing to drop demands to increase parking provision.

Mr Paul Steele, Richmondshire council corporate planning officer, said an independent report commissioned by the town centre forum concluded the market place was overrun by cars. Pedestrians found it difficult to make their way round. Pedestrianisation in the obelisk area would help alleviate this.

Richmond was moving towards providing a "niche" market, giving priority to local and visitor shopping rather than trying to compete with large retail centres such as Darlington and the Tesco store at Catterick Garrison, said Mr Steele.

Better enforcement of the two-hour disc parking in the market place, which was shortly to be extended to Newbiggin and Bargate, would free the equivalent of 80 more spaces per weekday.

Mrs Gill Davies, for the business association, said Richmond had a greater role to play than simply a niche market - to serve and support the rural hinterland. The local plan policy would give the council carte blanche to remove parking spaces.

Dr Mike Nicholls, business association chairman, said sufficient parking was vital if Richmond was to survive as a viable town centre. Research showed people viewed parking as convenient only if it was free, level and within 300 yards of shops.

Association member Mr Peter Warne, whose family runs the Ken Warne grocery in the market place, said removal of convenient parking, particularly in today's economic climate, would put town centre retailers at a disadvantage. "It could well be the straw that breaks the camel's back for some businesses," he said.

Mrs Rachel Connolly, who travels to Richmond to shop, said effective management of spaces was needed before pedestrianisation was increased.

"If it can be proved that the balance of needs and trade are being met, in other words if car parking is turning over briskly enough, then I am all for reducing parking spaces and providing more pedestrianisation," she said. "But management has to come first or there won't be a town centre worth visiting."

Mr Steele said the council had a strong commitment to better parking enforcement. Discussions with the county council suggested movement towards that by spring..

During a short adjournment, the business association rejected the council's offer to limit reduction to 20pc. Dr Nicholls said that was the equivalent of 40 spaces and was too heavy a loss. His organisation held out for no change in provision