RESIDENTS are opposing a proposal to build a car park in meadows at Helmsley saying it would destroy views of the town.

A packed meeting at the town hall vetoed moves to create the car park on the south side of the town to help cope with visitor traffic.

Meanwhile, a proposal to reduce the amount of parking in the town's Market Place and create a pedestrian-only area got a mixed response.

Councillor Martin Van der Weyer, who, with Councillor Lord Feversham, helped mastermind proposals for the future of Helmsley, as part of the Renaissance Market Towns Initiative, told the meeting it was vital the town planned its own future.

However, he said, nothing would go ahead with the support of residents.

He said Helmsley faced changes in the future, with house prices continuing to rise, farming in decline and more people shopping on the Internet.

"We are trying to find things that are good for residents and businesses," he said.

He said he believed the town was well placed to provide employment training, cater for young families, young people and help community life.

The Market Town group felt there was a need to encourage household manufacturing businesses and craft enterprises on the industrial estate.

Coun Weyer said the town had to make the best possible use of the Market Place, saying that part of it, currently used by the Friday Market, could become pedestrian-only.

"Some think it could be bad for trade, but that is open to argument," he said.