'Project could change the face of twin towns' (From Gazette & Herald)

'Project could change the face of twin towns'

A MAJOR regeneration project could be on the cards for Malton and Norton now that a £35,000 study has been commissioned by Yorkshire Forward and Ryedale District Council.

Due to begin next month, the research will determine whether or not derelict land along the railroad corridor, which runs through the centre of the twin towns, would be feasible for development now that flood defences have been put in place.

The sites in question are:

The former Wool Growers and Malton Fertilisers factory, and adjacent land off Park Road in Norton.

The former Travis Perkins site in Malton.

The Sheepfoot Hill area of Malton.

The former Dewhirst clothing site in Norton.

Land to the north of Commercial Street in Norton.

The bus and rail station area and adjoining land in Norton.

Forward planning manager for Ryedale council Julian Rudd said: "We are talking about a suggestion which could seriously change the face of Malton and Norton. We hope it will bring a great deal of improvement to the towns and address a number of local needs for affordable housing and employment, public spaces and leisure and entertainment facilities and also improve public accessibility to the riverside."

But despite the £6.5m flood defence scheme, the risk of further flooding has not been totally eradicated, which is one of the reasons the research is necessary. Other problems connected with the sites include access difficulties, limited road network capacity, land contamination and difficulties with land assembly.

Mr Rudd said: "All of the areas have got obstacles to redevelopment that have meant they have been overlooked in the past, and that is why we are spending the money on the research, which will include public consultation."

Malton and Norton town centre manager Peter Mudge is hopeful that the redevelopment will come to fruition. He said: "It will certainly bring jobs. What's desperately needed in this area is a bigger population. We've got a fantastic town centre, marvellous road and rail links and they need to be used. It's part of the progress forward to bring more people into the area."

Chamber of Trade chairman Ian Beecham said: "We would welcome the investigation but flag up certain concerns. We want regeneration and not relocation and anything that made existing problems worse for the town and its businesses would obviously be negative. It is always appreciated when money is invested in our area by Yorkshire Forward, and industrial business, housing or leisure facilities would all be welcomed."

The organisers of the study have pledged to follow it up with a second stage of research looking at a town centre renaissance plan.

Yorkshire Forward is putting £25,000 into the project and Ryedale District Council is contributing £10,000. The study will build upon the work of the Market Towns Initiative, funded by Yorkshire Forward and the Countryside Agency, and will be carried out by multi-disciplinary external consultants. It is estimated that it will take around four months to carry out and will, therefore, be complete by spring 2004.

Updated: 10:42 Wednesday, October 08, 2003