COUNCIL chiefs have moved to end confusion over the use of a new building on a business park.

Local residents and motorists driving past Colburn Business Park, in Colburn, near Catterick Garrison, have assumed the site's first building is the district council's proposed new headquarters.

The development is actually the Innovate Centre, a building containing 16 managed workspace units for media, marketing and communication businesses.

Councillor Bill Glover, leader of Richmondshire District Council and ward member for Colburn, said he wants to clear up the confusion.

He said: "The opening of the Innovate Centre is a great business event for the district, but it also serves as an opportunity to remind residents that this is a new building, designed to attract modern, digital and web-based businesses into the area.

"It is not, as various people have mentioned as the centre was being built, and even now, the new district council headquarters.

"The council's proposed relocation to Colburn Business Park is a completely separate issue.

"The detailed business case for such a move is being prepared and councillors will consider it at a committee meeting later in the spring."

Colburn Mayor Tom Henry said: "People ask me in the pub if it's the new council offices. I take the time to explain to them what it's actually for."

He added: "It's great the site is now up and running.

"The first two businesses have already signed up and we now need other firms to follow suit."

The development cost £1.5 to build. More than £500,000 of Richmondshire District Council funding has been invested in the scheme, with additional contributions from Yorkshire Forward and the European Union.

The district council is also proposing to build its controversial headquarters on the business park.

Council chiefs are looking at how to finance the £4.5m scheme.

Plans to sell off a car park and offices in Richmond have angered many residents.

The business park was opened in January 2002.

Difficulties in attracting businesses have led to claims that the £1.5m redevelopment of the land was a waste of cash.