A TWICE-cancelled meeting to decide the fate of two Richmond car parks could go ahead on June 1 - with public attendance limited.

Richmondshire District Council resources committee was called off twice in March, the second time because up to 800 people who are opposed to the plans turned up.

The authority is now looking at the town hall as a possible venue and approaches have been made to the town council.

But a leading protester who fears only 80 members of the public would be allowed in hopes a video and sound link could be made to the neighbouring market hall, where up to 300 more people could listen in.

Coun Stuart Parsons, who serves on both authorities and backs protesters against plans to build flats on the car parks, said the town hall accommodated up to 180 people, but this would be cut to about 80 because of the layout of tables and equipment for members and officials.

In spite of restrictions on public attendance, it was important that the committee went ahead, he stressed.

"People must remember that we need the council to make some decisions so that we can challenge those decisions if necessary," he said. "Although people are very welcome to attend, we don't want the meeting stopped again."

A spokeswoman for the district council confirmed the committee meeting would be held in June, but said no date or venue had been finalised.

"We have made an approach to the town council about the town hall on June 1, however the venue and date of the resources meeting has yet to be confirmed, as alternative locations and dates are still being examined," she said.

A spokesman for protesters from The Green area of the town, who have collected thousands of names on a petition, urged people to go along to the meeting wherever it was held but to be prepared not to get in.

"I would hope people will turn up in large numbers but be peaceful and not cause trouble when they fail to get in," he said. "People must show the strength of their feelings but in a dignified way and must respect instructions from the police and officials."

He was disappointed that public attendance could be limited, but said the meeting would have had to be held in Darlington or further afield to accommodate the 800 people who turned up at the last committee.

Sale of the two car parks, along with office buildings in the town, would help fund the district council's proposed move to new £4m headquarters at Colburn.

Protesters say the developments would spoil the heritage of the town and damage trade and tourism by removing car parking space.