PLANS to turn a former Malton shop into a children’s day nursery have been approved.

The planning application to change the former Clarks of Malton unit in Market Place into a nursery was granted approval by Ryedale District Council’s planning committee  last night.

The vacant building is Grade-II listed and is located within the Malton Conservation Area, at the south-eastern corner of Market Place.

The applicant, Pierce & Geddes Investments Ltd, is proposing to lease the entire property, with the ground and first floor providing nursery space together with staff facilities, and the second floor providing storage space.

The application agents said: “To ensure that Malton continues to have a vibrant local economy, it is important that such buildings are put to viable use.

“It has been identified that the local area has a shortage of nursery spaces and this proposal has the benefit of using an under-used building, providing a much needed facility and contributing to the local economy by providing additional jobs and visitor numbers to the town centre.”

The application had been rejected by the town council however, with a spokesman saying: “Members felt strongly about retaining the number of retail units in the Market Place, therefore voted in favour of refusing the change-of-use application.”

But Ryedale District Council officers had recommended it for approval, saying: “The proposed use is a service which will help to support the local economy and which will contribute to the vitality of Malton Town Centre.

“On balance, the benefits of the proposal are considered to outweigh the relatively small loss of retail floorspace within the town centre.”