NORTON Town Council is facing a "bureaucratic jungle" over plans to provide parking spaces for residents.

Members have been given estimates of more than £3,000 to provide and install six bollards in St Nicholas Street car park for householders in Bruntwood Terrace.

The council was approached by the residents who said they were finding it increasingly difficult to find somewhere to park in the adjoining car park.

They argued that Ryedale District Council (RDC) had a long-standing commitment to install parking bollards near their homes, saying they were promised guaranteed parking spaces after they lost their garages when the car park was built.

Norton Town Council had agreed to pay for and install the bollards, however, the district council said there is no foundation to the householders’ claims.

RDC subsequently offered to lease six spaces adjacent to Bruntwood Terrace with the town council taking all responsibility for managing and the use of the spaces, including repair and maintenance and installation of bollards to secure the spaces.

Initial costings are estimated at £3,300, including fitting and legal costs with ongoing yearly costs about £1,200.

Councillor Hugh Spencer said: "We have been fighting to get this for years and it really is appalling that it has become so bureaucratic and costly but I do not see how we can let this one go now. The whole thing is a license to print money."

Councillor Di Keal questioned where the estimated figures had come from.

"I cannot work out how they get £200 for maintenance and vandalism when I would imagine it would be difficult to vandalise them once they are installed," she said.

"It is a great pity we are facing a massive legal process, but it is the only way the district council will agree to do it."

Mayor Councillor Ray King said it was going to involve a lot of money for six parking spaces.

"Could we not try yellow lines first for resident only parking, then we wouldn't have on going costs," he said.

"If we are to proceed with the bollards we need to get the commitment of all the householders before we proceed."

Councillor David Lloyd-Williams said he was concerned about the £400 a year rates quoted.

"Presumably RDC is getting council tax from these residents so why can they not wave the rates," he said.

"It is a bureaucratic jungle, but we have gone so far down the road that we really have to grasp the mettle and agree to do it, however, I do feel it is unfair for RDC to be so demanding."

Coun Keal agreed to contact RDC regarding the rates and the householders involved to explain the situation.