THE multi-million pound scheme to build a new Malton Livestock Market and business park has been recommended for approval by the town council – by a single vote.

Councillors were divided on the plan, which includes an interlinked package of development proposals and will provide for the relocation of the livestock market to a new Agri Business Centre and Business Park on land adjacent Eden Camp.

There were also divisions about the housing schemes to provide about 300 homes on land at Westgate, Old Malton and Pasture Lane – the Showfield site, and land at Rainbow Lane at Peasey Hills in Malton.

Commercial Development Projects, in partnership with Malton and Ryedale Farmers Livestock Market Company Limited and Fitzwilliam Trust Corporation, submitted the planning applications to Ryedale District Council in April.

However, Councillor David Lloyd-Williams told the town council that while he favoured the market scheme he was “not enamoured” with the light industrial estate because it would be built on good agricultural land.

Councillor Paul Andrews said that while Ryedale District Council needed to have a five-year supply of building land available, it did not have to provide a five-year supply of employment land.

But Councillor Mike Knaggs said both developments should go ahead because of their value to the Ryedale economy and it was vital that local farmers had a choice to sell their stock either through the market or as dead weight.

He was backed by Councillor Ann Hopkinson, who said: “We need to pass it to keep the market safe.”

Councillors also said there would be a need for two new primary schools, one in Malton, the other at Norton, to cope with the children from the 1,500 homes due to be built around the towns, in the next 15 years under the new Ryedale Local Plan, the blueprint for development in the district.

Councillor Martin Dales suggested a new school could be built on the Malton School campus.

In addition, said Coun Lloyd-Williams, the doctors’ surgery did not have the capacity to accommodate a potential further 2,000 patients.

The council recommended that Ryedale District Council approves the plan.

All of the planning documents, including an environmental impact assessment, are available to view at Ryedale District Council offices and online at ryedale.gov.uk