New site offered for Malton livestock market (From Gazette & Herald)

New site offered for Malton livestock market

12:03pm Wednesday 20th March 2013 in News By Karen Darley

ATTEMPTS to secure the future of Malton’s livestock market have taken a further twist with confirmation that a new site and ‘substantial’ sum has been offered to relocate the business.

Directors of the Malton and Ryedale Farmers’ Livestock Company have secured the support of the Fitzwilliam Trust Corporation to provide both a site to the north of Eden Camp, outside Old Malton, and a financial donation towards a new market building.

Chairman Pat Foxton said the directors were delighted.

He said: “We would like to thank the Trust for the visionary foresight they have for Malton and Ryedale, for farmers, the farming industry and the wider business community centred on Malton.

“This very generous offer, together with the money that has been pledged to date, means that the market company now has pledges approaching £1.2 million which is fantastic. But more funds will be needed to complete this project.”

Mr Foxton said the working capital required to run the market will be provided by Malton Livestock Auctioneers.

“This 50:50 partnership of two local firms – Boulton & Cooper Stephensons and Cundalls – will have a franchise from the Market Company to provide the auctioneering services that are required.

“This arrangement will nullify any bad debt risk to shareholders’ capital.”

Derek Watson, from Cundalls, said although the lease on the existing market runs out in October, negotiations were underway with theFitzwilliam Malton Estate for a new short-term lease which would give the Market Company more time to arrange relocation.

“Hopefully, we can get the plans together shortly and once planning permission is granted we will then need about a year to complete the first phase of the operation,” he said.

“If we are granted a new lease from October, we can start to plan a lot better and start to get things rolling so everything can come together.”

Mr Watson said they were delighted with the offer of the site and sum of money from the Fitzwilliam Trust Corporation.

“This is extremely good news and things are looking more positive,” he said.

“Business is very good at Malton market. It is a good little market and it brings people into the town to spend money in the town.”

Mark Nicholson, agent for the Fitzwilliam Trust Corporation, said the new market site would be a “real bonus” for Malton.

“I have already had expressions of interest from a number of parties with agricultural-type businesses to set up near the site,” he added.

“Our trustees realise that the livestock market is a vital part of the area’s trading and this is a very positive step forward.”

Last month, plans were unveiled by two local farmers, John Hicks and Peter Stark, to set up a market run by a co-operative with a board of directors made up of members.

However, the group is about £1 million short of its target of £1.5 million to build the complex which would operate as a twice-weekly.

Roddy Bushell, agent for the Fitzwilliam Malton Estate, said it viewed the relocation of Malton’s livestock market to a site where it can thrive as an important priority.

“Two parties have expressed an interest in taking a short-term lease of the livestock market site when the current lease comes to an end in October, to allow them time to get an alternative site ready,” he said.

“Neither party has yet provided a full business plan for the relocation of the market.

“Clearly time is running out to get all the arrangements in place to relocate the market and the Estate is encouraging both parties to finalise proposals as a matter of urgency.”

Making way for makeover

FITZWILLIAM Estate has won a planning appeal against Ryedale District Council over a scheme to demolish two outbuildings in Malton Market Place, the first step in the redevelopment of the cattle market site.

The application was rejected by the planning committee last August, but the Estate appealed.

Planning inspector Brendan Lyons has now ruled that the buildings, which are within the curtilage of listed buildings at 5-7 and rear of 9 Market Place, can be pulled down.

But the work cannot be carried out before a contract has been made for work on redevelopment of the site and adjoining land and a programme of building recording has to be carried out on the historic site, the inspector said.

“The two outbuildings are included in the site of the proposed comprehensive redevelopment of the livestock market to provide new retail buildings, car parking and public space,” said Mr Lyons.

“The proposed demolition is to facilitate the redevelopment which would be designed to include a pedestrian route.”

Mr Lyons said that following the decision to grant outline planning permission for the livestock market site, Ryedale District Council had withdrawn its objections to the proposed demolition, subject to conditions.