Outrageous attempts to misrepresent what I’m trying to do appeared in last week’s letters column in the Gazette.

It’s as wrong as it is insulting to accuse me of attempting to “drive a coach and horses” through the planning process” or of acting without consultation.

That particular horse falls at the first fence, as the council is about to start a massive consultation process on shaping the next 15 years for our district.

So the scurrilous and personal charge of “arrogance” levelled on the basis of an alleged attempt to avoid consultation is nonsense.

As for the demand for me to give an apology to the tiny but ever vocal negative brigade, I would if they deserved one. They don’t.

Then there is a series of myths pedalled about the supermarket proposal for Malton’s Wentworth Street car park.

The council has not, as suggested, “already permitted” a store on the site. The decision was to put it forward as an option on which to consult.

At the same time, the reason it needs to be looked at is that Ryedale residents are spending £90million a year shopping outside the area.

As soon as people opt to go to Sainsbury’s in York or elsewhere, we’ve lost them.

More people staying local has a spin off – more footfall makes existing small shops more viable, not less, as well as attracting new traders to fill empty stores.

As for the question of where the cars would park, if a supermarket went ahead, 80 per cent of the spaces in Wentworth Street would be retained.

A moved livestock market would also offer the opportunity of providing 150 more spaces in the central area of town.

All options are open, among them a plan for housing and shops produced by the Fitzwilliam Estate.

I have been attacked for having the nerve to criticise the estate, but I have also applauded its successes, such as the food festival.

In the same way, whichever options ultimately go forward will have to be treated on their merits.

A final decision can only be reached when every bit of evidence has been weighed up and carefully considered.

One bright spot among the mountain of misinformation was the comment in favour of the Market Place being used for stalls, instead of cars.

On that at least, I’m more than happy to agree.

HOWARD KEAL, Liberal Democrat group leader, Ryedale District Council