IT is surprising that Ryedale has been able to issue the consent for the supermarket on Wentworth Street car park so soon after the Secretary of State decided not to call the matter in.

Is this a coincidence, or did the Secretary of State deliberately hold his decision back until the council was ready to issue consent?

Now that the consent has been issued, there is a legal decision which can be challenged in the courts. It is now up to the Fitzwilliam Malton Estate to make a decision on pursuing a legal challenge. The fate of Malton’s town centre is in their hands.

The council’s decision is badly flawed – not least because of weaknesses in the officers’ report to committee.

The Secretary of State’s decision is also bad because it failed to give a reasoned explanation for his decision not to call the matter in. So I would be very disappointed if no legal action were to be taken against either the council or the Secretary of State.

I believe the council wants the consent so that it can be assured of receiving funds for spending on projects and grants which might improve the chances of success of the ruling group at next year’s General Election.

I do hope they don’t make rash assumptions when preparing the budget. Their leadership should now reflect on the prospect of having none of this money and of instead facing another huge legal bill to pay for their folly and high-handed and reckless disregard of local opinion and contempt for local businesses.

Not they could care. Of course, after all, it is we the taxpayers who have to pay for their mistakes.

Councillor Paul Andrews, Malton ward