CAMPAIGNERS could be set to win their fight to stop a town centre car park - described as like the family silver - being sold off to fund a new facility on the edge of town.

Hambleton Council is being urged to defer the plans for the gateway car park on the edge of Bedale until a new relief road is built to see if it is actually needed.

Residents were split over whether they wanted the new car park next to the bypass.

It had been suggested selling off one of the town centre car parks to raise £212,000 towards the £612,000 cost of the new one.

But in a report to the Council’s Cabinet which meets on Tuesday, December 2, director of support services, Justin Ives, states that after a consultation in the town there was uncertainty about whether it was wanted.

Mr Ives is recommending the council waits until the relief road has been built to see if the new car park is needed and if it is, to put in the extra money so none of the other car parks need to be sold off.

However, this may not be until 2019 or 2020.

He said of 238 people who replied to the consultation, half were doubtful about the need for the new car park and 58 per cent did not want to sell off one of the existing car parks to help pay for it.

He added: “The consultation process seems to reflect an uncertainty locally about the need for the Gateway car park and a clear preference for retaining the existing car parks.

"Previous consultations had not shown any significant objection to the loss of the existing car parks, however the latest consultation has raised concerns.”

District councillor for Bedale Cllr Carl Les welcomed the recommendation said: "This is a positive move and a fair resolution of the problem.

"The Council has listened to the concerns. I am of the view that we do need the Gateway car park otherwise there is a danger the road becomes a bypass and not a relief road. This reflects the public concern that people had.”

Mark kettlewell, of Bedale Food Weighhouse, added: "If this is agreed it could be a good solution. Most people just didn’t want them to sell off one of the town centre car parks, it would have been like selling off the family silver.”