CONSULTATION is underway on plans to adopt a Local Development Order (LDO) for a huge food and agriculture hub on the northern edge of Malton.

The LDO would effectively grant planning consent for future development in line with "food enterprise use" - without the need for further applications and therefore encourage food or agriculture businesses to set up and grow in the area.

Non-food businesses would still be able to locate on the site just off the A169, known as the Eden Business Park and Food Enterprise Zone, but would need to go through the full planning process.

Cllr Linda Cowling, leader of Ryedale District Council, said: "Tremendous progress has been made on the site since construction started in February, within its existing outline planning permission.

"This LDO will take us to the next stage, making it easier for food and agricultural businesses to locate on the site and benefit from support and innovation that a food cluster can bring."

The adoption of the LDO would mean that all planning processes that would usually apply to the site are dealt with in one advance procedure, meaning that all the plans will be considered together, giving members of the public the opportunity to comment on the proposals as a whole.

The Malton Food Enterprise Zone was awarded by Government in March last year - one of just 17 awarded nationally.

It is a Government scheme aimed at boosting the economy in the countryside. It is anticipated that 600 direct jobs will be created on the site.

Charles Vyvyan of CDP, representing the site developers, said: "The proposals include a detailed Design Code which outlines the quality of design and build that will be adopted for the site.

"A full landscaping plan has been developed to reflect the image of the site and to complement existing businesses in the locality."

The public consultation began yesterday (Tuesday) with a public exhibition in the Talbot Hotel, and will continue until Friday, November 25.

Copies of all the evidence base in respect of the LDO will also be available to view at Ryedale House, Malton during normal office hours and can be viewed online at ryedale.gov.uk/pages/council-information/consultations.