A £2.5M scheme to designed improve the heart of a county town and enhance its heritage has been pushed forward amid claims it represents “a vote of confidence” in high streets.

Hambleton District Council’s cabinet has recommended the Northallerton Town Square and High Street Improvement Scheme should be completed even if the government rejects the authority’s application for £1.2m funding. A meeting of the committee heard the scheme aimed to create an area in the heart of the High Street for events, business and commercial opportunities, increasing both visitor numbers and the time they spend there.

The project would see the creation of a larger market square with the removal of 12 parking spaces to create an events area and an improved setting for the Market Cross, which members heard needed a permanent home after being moved up and down the High Street.

To introduce a greener feel to the town centre, the council hopes to introduce trees in large planters and additional planting. Other features of the scheme would include improved heritage style seating and lighting, new high quality paving from the town hall to meet Zetland Street and the area opposite the Market Cross outside Barkers department store.

Finally, the council aims to improve alleyways such as Garthway Arcade, Black Bull Yard and Tickle Toby Yard using high quality materials. The proposed scheme follows recently completed road and footpath improvements on Zetland Street, Central Arcade and New Row, which the council says make a notable difference to access between Treadmills and the High Street.

The authority’s deputy leader, Councillor Peter Wilkinson said: “This is a really good news story for Northallerton High Street, particularly during these economically challenging times. To me, it is a vote of confidence in our high streets.”

The meeting heard the council was set to learn if its application to the government’s Future High Streets Fund had been successful and that it would provide funding to extend the area which is improved. If the Future High Street Funding bid is not successful then the council will fund £1,212,475 from surplus funds or borrowing.

A council consultation over the scheme received mainly supportive comments, however concerns were raised was over loss of parking spaces. The meeting was told the additional 110 car parking spaces at the nearby Treadmills development would more than offset the loss.