A DISTRICT councillor has asked for all four planning applications relating to the Malton Livestock Market relocation to be called in by the Secretary of State.

Paul Andrews, who is also a member of Malton Town Council, said although he wishes to see the market moved, the chosen site close to Eden Camp is unsatisfactory for local residents and should not have been determined until the outcome of the Wentworth Street application was known.

Plans for the multi-million pound livestock market development were approved at an extraordinary meeting of Ryedale District Council’s planning committee last month.

The scheme for an agribusiness and business centre will create about 800 jobs and attract £20m investment into the district. It has been referred to the Secretary of State for Local Government and the Communities as a requirement of the consultation procedures because of the size of the development.

Three new housing plans which will part fund the livestock market were also approved, but do not require a referral.

Councillor Andrews said: “If all four applications are called in, and the car park applications are also called in, all relevant issues could be debated and sorted out at a single public inquiry before a team of experienced inspectors, one of whom must be experienced in retail and another fully competent and qualified to look at highways and drainage matters.”

Charles Vyvyan, of Commercial Development Projects, which submitted the application in partnership with Malton and Ryedale Farmers Livestock Market Company and Fitzwilliam Trust Corporation, said: “To try and potentially stretch the approval process out for a further number of months does not seem to be in anyone’s interest at this stage as we are very keen to work up detailed plans for the market.”