Superstore developer hits back in ‘town death sentence’ row

THE developer behind a controversial supermarket development in Malton which has sparked opposition from some of the region’s most prominent families has hit back at claims it will be a “death sentence for the town”.

A planning application has been submitted by Leeds-based GMI Holbeck Land to develop the Wentworth Street site, which Ryedale District Council has announced it will be selling off, and is expected to go before councillors in the coming months.

The council’s decision has sparked a storm of controversy in the market town, with the TV presenter Selina Scott, who lives near Malton, leading the fight to prevent the superstore being built there, claiming it will be a huge blow for the town’s independent traders.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Last month, more than 50 of the region’s oldest-established and prominent families, along with leading public figures and business people, put their names to an open letter as part of the campaign.

Among them are Simon Howard from Castle Howard, Sir Richard Storey from Settrington House and Lady Middleton from Birdsall along with Lady Clarissa Collin from Pockley and the Earl and Countess of Mexborough from Hawnby.

Sir Richard Beckett at Rievaulx, Jake Duncombe at Duncombe Park, Nicholas Wrigley at Ganton, James Fenwick at Terrington and Prof Oliver James at Sleightholmedale have also added their support.

The open letter states an “imminent threat is looming over the historic and unspoiled market town of Malton”, and calls upon the district council to, “uphold national and local planning policies to protect the vitality and viability of town centres, and to respect the clear will of the people of Malton”.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

But GMI Holbeck Land has now spoken out, claiming the development will create up to 290 local jobs and provide a significant boost to the economies of both Malton and Ryedale, allowing the local retail sector to grow by around 30 per cent.

It claims £31m each year is spent by Ryedale residents travelling to supermarkets outside the area and says that its project would “significantly cut this figure and greatly enhance the quality and choice of Malton’s retail offer”.

The developer also says that its proposed supermarket would create supply chain effects that will benefit local businesses - such as cleaning and maintenance contractors and other suppliers of goods and services to the foodstore.

Director Ian Barraclough says that he expects little or no loss of jobs at existing independent traders in Malton, with employment opportunities just as strong during the construction period.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“We are committed to the recruitment of local subcontractors and direct labour where possible,” he said.

“We strive to employ from the local area where possible – if what we need cannot be found in Malton, then we extend our search to the wider area, and then further into Ryedale and Yorkshire.”

Councillors voted last year to sell the car park, after seven companies expressed an interest in developing the site.

Campaigners are currently collecting names on a petition to Eric Pickles the secretary of state for Communities and Local Government, to call in the plans so that a decision can be made by a Government planning inspector.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

A planning application has also been formally submitted to the district council by Fitzwilliam Estate for a development on Malton’s livestock market involving a medium-sized food store and other retail units.

Coun Keith Knaggs, the leader of Ryedale District Council, said: “The commitment to local jobs and local sub-contractors is welcome but is only one of the many factors that councillors will have to consider when this planning application comes before us.

“It is good that businesses, not just GMI Holbeck, are prepared to invest in Ryedale at this difficult time.”

Related topics: