THE refurbishment of a North Yorkshire car park cost thousands of pounds more than intended, due to a long-running legal feud.

Plans to resurface the Tadcaster car park received continued objections from the Samuel Smith's Old Brewery, which resulted in a legal fight which went all the way to the High Court.

Selby District Council first granted permission for the resurfacing in April 2011, and allocated a budget of £230,000 for the work, but the delay caused by the court case - which was finally settled in May this year - saw the winning tender increase by £80,000 to £310,000.

An email seen by The Press from the council stated: "The additional budget was to cover the increase in costs of materials required to complete the scheme after previously aborted progression due to the legal challenge."

A report before the council's executive earlier this month suggested the final work had come in under budget, but still about £14,000 higher than the original tender.

The email said: "The saving has arisen due to the hard core being in more than good enough condition to be resurfaced on rather than being replaced which was quoted in the tender."

A council spokeswoman said yesterday: "The initial tendering process was carried out in 2010, due to legal delays the Council were required to re tender the work.

"The 2013 tender was higher this was not an overspend but reflected the increased cost of materials. Due to officers closely monitoring and managing the contract the Council has saved around £66,000 on the project."

Labour leader Councillor Steve Shaw-Wright said: "The explanation beggars belief.

"SDC had to increase the budget for the car park refurbishment as the tender came in over the budget. Then the cost fell, but it's still over the original budget, so I ask how can this be a saving? If there is money available it should be spent bringing the car park up to the same condition as the one in Selby town and implement charges."