I HAVE formally requested the Secretary of State call-in all four planning applications relating to the relocation of the cattle market.

I have wanted to see the cattle market relocated for many years. However, one has to have regard to the choice of sites and the impact of any development associated with the move. In this case the site may be excellent for the site operators, but it is far from satisfactory for local residents.

Anyone who witnessed the flooding of Old Malton in 2012 will sympathise. The flood was caused by water backing up behind the river flood defence.

The volume of water included run-off from the Edenhouse Road area, where the market is to be relocated. The pressure was such that water rose from the drains in Lascelles Lane and it took seven motorised pumps to keep the water out of people’s houses.

The fear is that once the Edenhouse area is concreted, it will increase flood risk in Old Malton. The developers and Yorkshire Water say a proposed flood pond will prevent the situation getting any worse.

Residents disagree. If the council was interested in helping to resolve the situation, why couldn’t the developers have been required to install a new pumping station?

Malton has an antiquated combined sewerage system. An open culvert runs through Old Malton and the foul sewer runs underground parallel to it. There are outfalls connecting the two in people’s gardens.

I understand the Edenhouse Road development (the relocated market plus an entirely new industrial estate) will use this foul sewer. The developers say they can deal with this by using holding tanks.

The project will not pay for itself unless it is cross-subsidised by “enabling” development. “Enabling” development is usually defined as development which would not normally have got consent, but which is allowed so as to release funds.

The “enabling” development in this case includes a new industrial estate and 300 new houses, 272 of them with direct access on to Pasture Lane.

The proposed new superstore on Wentworth Street car park will have its only public vehicular access from Pasture Lane and 350 houses are being built in Broughton Rise.

The most direct route from there to the nearest four-way intersection with the A64 bypass is along Pasture Lane.

Do we really want to turn Malton into a traffic jam? Isn’t there enough congestion?

Much as I want to see the livestock market succeed on a new site, I have reluctantly come to the conclusion that the price the community is being asked to pay is too high.

I think Ryedale has been induced to grant permission as a result of a wave of emotion and the best way to deal with all these matters is through an independent, impartial government inspector.

Councillor Paul Andrews, Malton ward