A NORTH Yorkshire entrepreneur has finally got the go-ahead to build an ambitious exhibition and conference centre - and it could be up and running in a year.

Simon Boak, who runs the Events Office, based in Pickering, put forward plans in February this year for a 40,000sq ft building to be built outside the town.

Despite overwhelming support from Ryedale District councillors, officers had recommended the proposal be refused because it went against the local plan.

After members of the council's policy and resources committee approved it (eight in favour and none against), senior officers said the scheme would have to be referred to the secretary of state.

Mr Boak said: "They had 21 days to respond and then they asked for more time to consider it.

"We got the phone call to say the secretary of state was not calling it in, and it was not going to a public inquiry."

The Ryedale businessman said he was overjoyed that things could move on.

"Obviously now we are going to take this on to a detailed stage," he said.

"We have had quite a few serious inquiries already from event organisers, and I have two or three people interested in financing it.

"Rather than financing it all from the Events Office, we will be organising it, really getting the thing up and running."

Mr Boak said staging and seating in the centre was likely to be moveable, so the conference and exhibition space could be flexible to individual needs.

"We will have some facility where we can divide the main exhibition hall into smaller units, then it will be available to local groups who may be interested," he said.

"It would be nice to get the thing finished for August next year."

Pickering Town Councillor Gaynor de Barr said she was delighted Mr Boak had been given the go-ahead.

"It has the potential to bring much-needed revenue to the area," she said.

"It will prove a benefit not just to visitors but to the rest of the population, and we are still needing that following on from foot and mouth disease last year.

"Hopefully it will put us on the map."

Trader Eileen Blakely, who runs Delta Discounts in the town, said: "It certainly will benefit the bed and breakfasts places and hotels, so from their point of view it is of real benefit.

"My personal view is that it will bring people into the town.

"Time will tell how much difference that will make to trading."

Updated: 09:25 Wednesday, September 25, 2002