COUNCILLORS will be asked to decide on a bid for a bigger storage area at a Richmond cheese factory next week.

Swaledale Cheese already has Richmondshire District Council support for its proposals for new maturing rooms, an office and a staff changing area at its base on the town's Gallowfields trading estate. However, since winning consent for the project in January, the firm has revised its proposals and fresh blueprints indicating a larger storage room will be tabled when councillors meet on Tuesday.

Despite the alterations, a report indicates the authority's planning officers have no objections to the project as it is unlikely to have an impact on any nearby houses.

They are, therefore, recommending the project is approved, subject to a number of conditions.

Meanwhile, the industrial estate could also become home to a new venture which may mitigate the loss of the town's popular Garden and Farm Supply Centre just before Christmas.

The business closed after a wrangle with the council over the lease, and the authority's long-term plans for the old station building on the banks of the River Swale.

Councillors will be asked to decide if the industrial estate would be the right base for a new farm supply business on Tuesday.

A soft-furnishing company which owns a neighbouring unit has expressed some concern that the storage of animal feed may attract vermin.

However, a planning officer's report says that as the units are separated by block walling, the potential for rats or mice crossing from one premises to the other is limited.

Environment Unit staff have also suggested a pro-active anti-rodent programme, but a decision could still hinge on whether councillors are satisfied that rats and mice can be controlled.