OFFICIALS are sticking with plans to fund Richmondshire District Council's controversial move to Colburn.

They have recommended approval for the controversial sale of car parks and office buildings in Richmond.

The latest report from chief officers at the authority recommends the sale of Station Road and Yorke Square car parks for housing and the disposal on the open market of Swale House and offices in Frenchgate and Friar's Wynd.

Proceeds of the sale of land at Gatherley Road would also go towards the £4.5m move to purpose-built headquarters at Colburn business park.

Conservative councillors announced last week that they would press for the Station Road site to be removed from the proposals, along with further assessment of all funding options.

The report, published on Wednesday, goes before the resources committee on June 22 at the Zetland Centre, in Richmond. Two previous meetings were abandoned on health and safety grounds after hundreds of protestors turned up.

Publication of the report came six days after Coun Richard Dunn resigned as chairman of the committee. On Tuesday, Coun John Blackie, leader of the council, was elected committee chairman.

He accepted the nomination, on condition that it is reviewed by the authority in July, as he is already leader and deputy chairman of the council and vice-chairman of the planning committee.

Coun Dunn, a member of the Richmondshire Association of Independent Councillors, would not be drawn on the reasons for stepping down. "It is a personal decision and I have no further comment," he said.

His resignation came the day after the Conservative group on the council announced it would oppose plans to sell and develop Station Road car park.

The Tories also called for a further independent appraisal of the funding options available and a guarantee that council tax payers would not foot the bill.

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