WORK is taking place to divert a watercourse that runs through the site of a former factory in Northallerton.

The former Sparkprint site on Yafforth Road was cleared some years ago but, according to Hambleton planners, the market did not support redevelopment at the time.

The authority has since granted permission for the diversion of a watercourse that runs through the site, which could be a precursor to future development.

However a district council spokesman said: “We have not been approached about redevelopment of this site for some years now.”