A SCHEME for a 21,300 sq ft extension to Barkers furniture store in Yafforth Road, Northallerton, was approved yesterday after being kept on the planning shelf for more than three years.
The application had been held in abeyance by Hambleton council since 1998 so that issues surrounding food and non-food store development in Northallerton could be resolved.
The planning committee heard yesterday that retail impact assessments conducted for other proposed large developments in the town had revealed significant scope for more non-food floorspace.
Consultants studying comparative shopping needs found that large amounts of money were leaking from Northallerton to other centres. The Barkers extension would make a positive contribution in this area and its size would not harm the vitality and viability of the town centre.
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