THE destiny of a cricket field in the centre of a Harrogate industrial estate hangs in the balance today.

The field in the middle of Cardale Park was originally occupied by National Power when it had its headquarters in the town, boasting impressive facilities for hundreds of staff employed at the offices at Beckwith Knowle.

However, the company has since relocated to Swinton and the field is rarely used, with developers bidding to build offices on the land.

Harrogate Borough Council's area planning committee has referred the project to the authority's full planning committee, with a recommendation that the application is refused.

Members were worried another office block would add to parking problems in the area and that there was insufficient information on who would be moving into the building.

However, planning officers will be recommending approval of plans tomorrow, suggesting the scheme could be allowed to proceed if the developers were prepared to abide by stringent conditions