NINE would-be developers have been asked for their draft proposals for future leisure use of the former Richmond railway station building.

The listed building was advertised in the Estates Gazette after Richmondshire district council agreed it should be earmarked in the local plan for leisure purposes.

Controversy surrounds the closure in two weeks' time of the Richmond garden and farm centre, which has traded from the building near Mercury bridge for 27 years.

The proprietor, Mr Mike Pattison, claimed he was forced out by the council but the authority insisted he gave notice to quit without prompting.

The council's resources committee agreed on Tuesday to consider the draft proposals and select the most suitable scheme. No details of the applicants were made public.

The meeting at Leyburn heard Mr Pattison's lease would be surrendered on December 24 and the council would forego rent between October 28 and that date.

Coun John Harris said it was important that townspeople were kept informed of proposals for the building.

"I hope that there will be some clear information that can go out to the public so they can see what is proposed.

"The station is a dearly loved building and very much in its original state," said Coun Harris. "I hope we will look very carefully not only at the best value scheme but at the quality of the scheme to keep that building's character."

Flying Larry

The D&STimes fought off the might of the Daily Telegraph and The Sun to land a major honour on last weekend's Network Q rally of Great Britain.

Larry Carter, from Northallerton, D&S motorsport correspondent, co-drove Paul Bird to 40th place overall and beating the likes of Formula One presenter Tony Jardine of the Telegraph and Sun sub editor Rob Gill to the prestigious Fleet Street award, which is awarded to the highest placed media representative on the rally.

l Rally report: page 25.