Selina Scott blasts store threat to historic market town’s character

A landmark planning meeting tomorrow is expected to approve a supermarket development in Malton on the site of a car park which Ryedale District Council has agreed to sell off for a £5m windfall.

Ms Scott, who has spearheaded the fiercely fought campaign to prevent the superstore being built, accused the council of undermining local democracy if it pushes ahead with the plans.

The writer and television presenter, who lives near Malton, said: “This little town has kept its character throughout the centuries. I hope councillors will be able to live with their consciences if they do give the go-ahead for the supermarket. What is going to happen to the newsagent, the butcher, the greengrocer and the bakery?

“They will simply not be able to compete – it is cruelty of the highest order. The Government’s idea of the Big Society and people having their say locally will be torpedoed if the council goes ahead with this.

“The people of Malton have said they do not want a supermarket there, but it looks as though their wishes will be ignored.”

The Leeds-based developers, GMI Holbeck, submitted a planning application to develop the Wentworth Street car park in September last year. The company maintained investment is vital after research revealed as much as £600,000 is spent each week on supermarket shopping outside of Ryedale in rival towns and cities.

A spokeswoman said: “Only the Wentworth Project can provide what the evidence shows is required to bring more custom into Malton and Ryedale. Higher footfall will then bring more quality investment.”

Councillors are also expected to reject plans to re-develop Malton’s livestock market. A smaller food store could be created on the site in a rival scheme by the Fitzwilliam Estate, which has owned much of Malton town centre for the past 300 years.

The estate stressed it is planning to invest up to £15m in the site. But the estate’s agent, Roddy Bushell, claimed the project is about to be rejected in “cold blood” by the council which is “fixed on asset-stripping this precious town”.

Council leader Keith Knaggs maintained Mr Bushell’s comments were “premature and at worst hysterical”, and stressed a decision would be made by the planning committee.