CONCERNS have been raised about plans to sell off space used by a museum.

Officers at Richmondshire District Council say the authority's offices at 33 Frenchgate, in Richmond, have become surplus to requirements and have asked for permission to sell the property.

But rooms at the back of the property are currently being used by Richmondshire Museum.

Mike Wood, chairman of the museum management committee, said in a letter to the council he was greatly concerned about the future of the property.

"They are a great asset to the museum and without them we would have no storage space and would not function properly as a museum, which is currently very much appreciated by the thousands of visitors we attract each year," said Mr Wood.

He said that in future the rooms could also be used to house travelling exhibitions.

The town council said it would like to see the building donated to the museum.

But a district council report about the future of the building says this would be "difficult to justify, both from a financial point of view and from the point of view of consistency with the council's key priorities and objectives".

The property will not be needed next year when office staff move to Frenchgate House, after space was freed up by the opening of the new Richmond Community Office in Dundas Street.

Council officers say money from the sale of 33 Frenchgate could be used to pay for the council's new headquarters in Colburn. The future of the property will be discussed by councillors tomorrow.

Published: 29/11/2004