COUNCIL plans to spend up to £50,000 on an appraisal of options for building the new livestock market at Eden Camp have taken a step forward - but have also been tempered with the option not to proceed.

At a meeting of Ryedale District Council’s policy and resources committee on Thursday, members discussed the proposal that the money be spent on a report by Align Property Partners (APP) into relocating the livestock market “with the aim of recommending a preferred option”.

However, an amendment was successfully tabled by Cllr Bob Gardiner which added the option of not proceeding with the market, once the report into its viability has been produced.

Introducing his amendment, Cllr Gardiner said: “This is just a simple point. I just thought it could do with clarification.”

The amendment, which sought to clarify that the council isn’t tied to building the market upon completion of the report, was criticised for being “negative” in its language by independent councillor Lindsay Burr.

She said: “We want to help this and move it forward - when negative language is used it’s not helpful.

“Officers have given us an adequate set of words and I don’t see why you have to put that in.”

Cllr Luke Ives, chairman of the committee, said: “The livestock market is central to our heritage and identity and its economic impact, direct and indirect, is huge.

“It’s critical it moves out of Malton town centre as the lease could be called at any time.

“It’s clear that the livestock market can only be relocated with the support of the council. This has been going on for so long now. This study will provide us with a definitive answer.”

But he added there is also the need to protect taxpayers’ interests.

“We have a moral duty to make sure every penny we spend is spent wisely and well,” he said.

The decision to proceed with the options appraisal comes following a meeting at the council attended by representatives of all interested parties, including both auctioneers, the Fitzwilliam Malton Estate, the Fitzwilliam Trust Corporation and the Malton and Ryedale Farmers Livestock Market Company.

The meeting enabled those attending to make known their respective positions and to use this as a basis for considering potential options available.

The proposal to approve the APP study and report was approved by the committee.

However, the plans will need signing off at the next full council meeting before the report can be approved.