Go-ahead to force sale of landif necessary for park and ride

A 2.4m park and ride scheme due to open in summer 2011 has cleared its final planning hurdle after it was agreed to force the sale of the land if negotiations stalled.

The 450-space scheme to cure traffic problems which have blighted Whitby’s roads has been on the cards for more than 10 years.

But now North Yorkshire County Council leaders have voted to acquire the site from local farmers at Whitby using compulsory purchase powers if necessary.

Council leader John Weighell said it was good news for Whitby. He added: “Unfortunately, it won’t be for this summer season. But the main aim is to get it all done for the next.

“It is all done on the planning side now. It is land purchase which is holding things up at the moment. That is the trouble. But this is just to keep ahead of the game.”

The plan is for residents, commuters and holidaymakers to leave their cars at the junction of the A171 and B1460, near Cross Butts Farm, rather than hunt for on-street spaces.

Consent for the scheme was granted in January 2009 by the North York Moors National Park Authority.

The authority’s consultants for land and property, Bruton Knowles, are currently in negotiations with the landowners of the field to the west of the A171/B1460 junction, which is the site of the car park.

But council officials say to ensure the site is open for the 2011 summer season construction will have to be carried out this summer.

The report to the Executive on Tuesday made clear that the powers will only be used if the negotiations break down for any reason.