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THE fate of a car park came under scrutiny this week after councillors promised to preserve the site as a "community resource".

Richmondshire District Council's attempts to build 14 flats on the site of the Yorke Square car park, in Richmond, came to a halt in 2006 after community group Save Our Shire took the authority to court.

The council, which had planned to sell the land for housing in order to fund a controversial move to 5m headquarters at Colburn, was forced to pay more than 17,000 in legal costs after a High Court judge quashed the planning permission. Councillors later agreed to drop the plans.

On Tuesday, councillors and officers met members of Save Our Shire to discuss how a public consultation can be carried out to determine the areas future.

Coun Melva Steckles, leader of Richmondshire District Council, said: "The key message is that public consultation will be at the heart of Yorke Square's future.

"We know that local residents have some wonderful ideas about what should happen, and we see this as a great chance to unlock all that local knowledge and enthusiasm."

Couns Linda Curran and Stuart Parsons, ward members for Richmond West, added: "At last, there is a fantastic opportunity for the whole community to come together and have a say in the future of Yorke Square."

Mark Whyman, of Save Our Shire, said that the group was optimistic about the meeting.

"We are so pleased that councillors have agreed to work with us, and we have lots of ideas for the site," he said.

"For example, it is signposted as a lorry park, and so people are put off parking there. Security is also an issue, and past problems have led to the toilets being closed. If these things were addressed, I'm sure people would be much happier to use the car park again."

He added: "It's such a wonderful site, and the starting point of so many beautiful riverside walks. We are delighted that the community is to be involved in deciding its future."

6:40am Friday 16th May 2008

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