FORMER factory buildings in the centre of a Ryedale town will make way for a temporary car park after approval was given for them to be knocked down.

The Fitzwilliam (Malton) Estate has secured permission to demolish the industrial site known as the County Bridge Works on Castlegate, in Malton, after the buildings were left standing empty following the departure of their previous tenants, steel fabricators Taylor Brown, to new premises.

Agents acting for the estate said the plan was to clear the site so it could be redeveloped in future, but it can be used as extra parking for up to 90 vehicles in the meantime.

The estate said that since becoming vacant, the three interconnecting buildings had deteriorated and were “unsightly”, and the site could become a temporary long-stay car park for Malton and Norton until a full development scheme is brought forward.