RESIDENTS have had a chance to deliver their verdict on plans to redevelop Malton’s livestock market into a town centre food hall.

The Fitzwilliam Estate held a consultation event on Saturday to show the public its proposals for a two-storey building with a modest-sized high-quality food store, and smaller retail units to attract modern high street retailers as well as further parking.

The Estate has launched the plans as an alternative to Ryedale District Council’s scheme to sell Wentworth Street car park to enable development of a supermarket on the edge of the town.

Emma Brooksbank, of Menethorpe Hall Farm in Malton, said the plans were the “best thing that could be done to reinvigorate Malton town centre.”

Emma, who is part of a community group that has drafted a neighbourhood plan for consultation in Malton and Norton, said: “There were a lot of people at the consultation, having animated discussions and filling in the forms.

“I’ve spent a lot of time talking to people in the town over the last six months and my impression is that overwhelmingly people are more in favour of the livestock market redevelopment for the town.”

Emma said she had campaigned against the supermarket scheme because a large supermarket in Wentworth Street would pull people out of the town.

“We already have a large Morrisons, which is thriving, a Netto at Malton station and Sainsburys Local. It will become a town of supermarkets rather than a market town,” she said.

Coun Howard Keal said: “It will depend on the merits of both proposals when there’s been the opportunity to analyse them in detail as to whether one or both of them is ultimately approved.

“It’s very welcome that there are two proposals now in the process of being brought forward which provide a great opportunity to achieve a major leap forward for the town.

“It’s really heartening that when we’re going through difficult times, there’s still this level of interest in making things happen in the town.”

A committee deciding the future of the livestock market is looking at four sites to build a new market, which could cost £2.5 million. The proposals are also available at PlanningConsultation.com