IN the words of a famous Beatle song – Let it be – re: the proposed supermarket/petrol station and free parking.

It was not that long ago that there was an outcry from many residents when Morrisons wanted to come to Castlegate. There was fierce opposition then.

I know many of my friends and family in Malton want this development in Wentworth Street, it is no fun doing battle with the traffic and Butcher Corner to get to a decent-sized supermarket, there is a definite need for a medium-sized supermarket in Malton.

That leads me to the petition recently handed to Ryedale District Council containing names and addresses of people protesting against the store. I would like to point out that many many names and addresses on the petition are people living outside Ryedale, and in some cases tourists have signed too.

Why these non-residents feel they have the right to stop Ryedale residents, especially Malton and Norton residents, having a supermarket and petrol station beggar’s belief. Also, when it comes down to it the council counts the number of objections, so signing a petition is not sufficient, letters from all objectors is required.

In the light of all the new housing developments and population growth in the area over the next few years it makes sense to have somewhere people can shop nearby and be able to do an economical shop. Ryedale has wealthy people, but there are many people who have to budget and watch the pennies.

I hope that common sense and democracy will prevail when the application is discussed on Thursday and we get a much welcome boost to the economy in Malton if this development goes ahead. It will bring jobs, parking, reasonably-priced fuel and a large amount of money from the sale of the land to be invested for the good of the area.

This development will sit alongside and not against the other local businesses and bring shoppers in. It could even attract other “good” businesses to come into the area and fill some empty retail units. It would be a sign that Malton is “on the up”.

Fitzwilliam Estate may not get its own way this time, they have threatened to pull the plug on developing the livestock market in Malton if the Wentworth Street development goes ahead.

I have lived in Norton and latterly Malton for 34 years and have raised my family here. I regularly shop in the local businesses and will continue to do so whatever happens as they provide a unique, different and sometimes specialist shopping experience. There is room for everyone to be catered for. If the application for a supermarket and petrol station does not succeed then the land will be utilised in the next few years for even more housing.

Hilary Wood, Malton