POSSIBLE new shopping developments in Northallerton have prompted calls to preserve the Applegarth.

Plans for a major review of retailing opportunities in the town centre have been announced by Hambleton District Council this week.

The review could see the redevelopment of the town's auction mart site and the area around it.

But Coun John Coulson, who is both a district and county councillor, has warned the district council that he is bitterly opposed to any development on the Applegarth.

"I am not opposed to the auction mart being moved out of Northallerton and that site being redeveloped. But I am totally against any part of the Applegarth play area being developed as the majority of this was given for the use of the children of Northallerton," said Coun Coulson.

Talks have already been held with Northallerton Town Council and the town's chamber of trade, but Hambleton has stressed that the community could also have a say in any redevelopment.

Hambleton's director of planning and environmental services, Mr Steve Quartermain, said: "We are aiming to ensure Northallerton remains an attractive and vibrant shopping centre well into the future.

"It is very important that collectively we take the opportunity to review the future retailing prospects of Northallerton. We can then test whether any of the ideas should be carried forward.

"Members of the public and interested parties will be given the opportunity to comment on the options in the autumn. This will give them a great chance to influence the outcomes."

The council has not confirmed whether the Applegarth, which is next to the auction mart, is included in the plans.

If it is, Coun Coulson said Hambleton would have a fight on its hands.

"I was a member of the Save the Applegarth committee and with those very hard working people we saved it from a ring-road. I would hope that the town's people would once again rally round and stop any development," he said.

The issue was discussed by Northallerton Town Council this week but not in public.