A MEETING to decide the fate of two public car parks has been moved to a larger venue.

More than 150 people turned up to the meeting of Richmondshire District Council's special resources committee on Thursday night, leading it to be called off for safety reasons.

Council officers want to sell two public car parks and five office blocks in Richmond to pay for new headquarters three miles away in Colburn.

But residents and business leaders say there is already a shortage of parking and that the move to Colburn would harm Richmond's economy.

The meeting to discuss the plans will take place at 6.30pm on Wednesday, March 30, at Richmond Middle School.

Council chief executive Harry Tabiner said: "We knew that these proposals were controversial, but did not expect so many people to attend.

"Swale House council chamber can accommodate up to about 80 members of the public in addition to the committee, but there were at least double that number, including two people in wheelchairs.

"In the circumstances, and bearing in mind health and safety considerations since both exits were jammed, the chairman had little option other than to adjourn the meeting."