Council defends £5m car park sale

Malton's Wentworth Street car park currently has 380 spaces but Ryedale Council says that on many days less than 70 of them are full. One in four bays are occupied on Saturdays but the site is never more than half used even when special events are taking place, officials say.

The figures are included in a lengthy open letter to objectors yesterday, denying that the sale is being rushed through and underlining the potential benefits to residents.

These include affordable housing projects, improvements to Malton town centre to attract visitors and further investment by retailers, and improvements to bus and rail station facilities.

Other benefits include major refurbishment of the Milton Rooms, provision of new business space and support to create new jobs, a relocated livestock market, broadband for businesses, and major refurbishment or possible replacement of Derwent Pool.

Business owners, councillors and residents are expected to join the protest march tomorrow.