RYEDALE District Council is set to step in and take over the construction of a relocated livestock market in Malton.
At a meeting of the policy and resources committee tomorrow (Thursday), members will vote on whether or not to purchase the land at Edenhouse Road, Old Malton, and spend about £3 million on constructing the new market and associated facilities.
Plans for a new livestock market were first unveiled five years ago after the lease on its current site expired. Extensions were granted and a plan for an agri-business park near Eden Camp was first developed in conjunction with the local enterprise partnership in 2016, and there has since been a food enterprise zone (FEZ) designation.
The Malton and Ryedale Farmers Livestock Market Company Ltd has since been working to secure the funds towards relocating the market.
In a report to members, RDC’s chief planning officer Gary Housden said the market is considered to be “integral to the district’s economy, its cultural heritage and its identity”.
The current livestock market, in the centre of Malton, which is owned by the Fitzwilliam Estate, has planning consent for a supermarket, and the report says it is considered “very likely” that the market will have to vacate the site.
Of a number of options, the report recommends the authority build and own the livestock market and ancillary buildings - with a projected return of about £100,000 a year in rent.
First, however, it recommends spending £150,000 on the development of “a business case, specification and procurement exercise” to ensure value for taxpayers’ money.
Cllr Luke Ives, chairman of the policy and resources committee, said: “The livestock market is an essential part of the local community and provides a sustainable place for the sale and purchase of livestock.
"Not only does this reduce food miles and encourage local food production, but it benefits the welfare of animals by reducing the distances required to transport livestock.
“Without the intervention of the council, there is a serious risk that the market will disappear, which would be a huge blow for farmers and the wider Ryedale economy.
“This proposal provides a bold and a deliverable way to resolve a decades-old problem, while helping to kickstart the development of the wider Eden Camp business park.
“Of course, it is only right the council protects the taxpayer’s purse, so under the plan the council will own the livestock market building and land, while leasing the facilities to achieve a decent rate of return.
Cllr Ives added the plans are only possible due to the council’s cost-cutting and efficiency measures over the last few years, which have increased its reserves to £12 million.
“Over the past five years we have made sweeping efficiency savings and increased our reserves at a time when most other councils have used their reserves to prop up their day-to-day spending,” he said.
“The money we have saved can now be invested to secure our cultural heritage for generations to come.”
The plans have the support of MP Kevin Hollinrake, who added: “I applaud and support the council’s efforts to help to find a permanent home for the livestock auction market. Clearly, this also has to offer fair deal and value for money for local taxpayers, after all it is their money.”
Police now looking for man who then threw the pair to the ground after incident on Portrack Lane yesterday afternoon
Police are appealing for information after two women, aged 37 and 60, were assaulted in the car park of The Range on Portrack Lane in Stockton at about 12.50pm yesterday.
The two women were walking across the car park when a woman driving a white BMW sounded her horn at the two women and an argument took place.
The female driver then drove off and returned with a man, believed to be her partner or husband, who approached the two women and punched them both then threw them to the ground.
The man made off towards Tile Giant and was then driven away from the scene in the white BMW driven by the woman driver.
He is described as being aged in his late 40s, wearing a white shirt and grey trousers. He had fair, shaven hair.
Anyone with information or anyone who may have witnessed the incident is asked to contact PC Rachel Morgan on the non-emergency 101 number, Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Boro host Bolton in their first home match of the 2015/16 season on Saturday:: Here's your ultimate preview ahead of the match.
David Nugent's arrival has cranked up the excitement on Teesside as Boro welcome Bolton to the Riverside on Saturday afternoon.
Aitor Karanka's men got their Championship campaign off to a solid, if not spectacular, start at Preston last weekend with a goalless draw.
But Wednesday's 3-1 win at Oldham, in which Uruguay international Cristhian Stuani opened his Boro account with a brace, has whet the appetite and offered much assurance for the season ahead.
The arrival of England international Nugent from Leicester on Friday afternoon only adds to that, and the 30-year-old could make his Boro bow this afternoon against Neil Lennon's Trotters.
"I said after the (Preston) game that I didn’t like the (performance), but now we have had a good result in the cup.
“I am really pleased because I told the players before the (Oldham) game how difficult these games are if you go to the pitch over-confident.
“We went to the pitch really concentrating, we had a penalty and another chance from Cristhian Stuani (before the first goal).
“I was really pleased with the team’s attitude, and I will have to try and find the best XI for Saturday.
“Cristhian (Stuani) needs time. He’s coming from Spain but this league is different, he needs time to settle in but for him it was important (to score first Boro goals).
David Nugent has confirmed that he is available to make his Boro debut against Bolton, but it remains to be seen if the £4m signing will start or be on the bench.
Ben Gibson has returned to training after his hamstring lay-off, but remains a doubt for Boro’s opening home match of the season.
The defender will be assessed at Rockliffe Park, meaning Jack Stephens or Dael Fry could deputise again.
Loan man Diego Fabbrini will be fit enough to feature, despite being substituted at Oldham after appearing to pick up a knock. But Alex Baptiste (leg), Damia Abella (cruciate) and Rhys Williams (Achilles) are all out.
1) Bolton scored the Football League’s first-ever goal back in 1888. Football historians claim James ‘Kenny’ Davenport was the first to find the net, notching in the second minute of a 6-3 defeat to Derby.
2) They scored goals for fun in pre-season, but Bolton have yet to find the net in 180 minutes of competitive action this campaign. They’ll be out to put that right on Saturday.
3) In Zach Clough, the Trotters seem to have found a real gem. The 20-year-old scored six goals in his first 10 matches last season, but a dislocated shoulder ended his campaign early.
4) Neil Lennon stabilised Bolton’s slide last season after the club picked up only five points from their opening 10 matches under Dougie Freedman. But they dropped off in the second half of the season, finishing 18th.
5) Their preparations for the Boro match haven’t been ideal. On Thursday, defender Tim Ream joined QPR in a £1.4m deal.
“Boro will want to make the Riverside Stadium a fortress from the off as the basis for another sustained promotion push.
“They lost only three times at home last term, the joint best record with Bournemouth and Ipswich - but they won 15, the most in the division. That underpinned their title charge.
“A rebuilt side looked sluggish in the curtain raising draw at Preston on Sunday but after a rocket and a reshuffle they looked sharper in the midweek Capital One Cup win at Oldham.
“They’ll need more of that zip and a clinical edge if they are to start with the win at home that will ignite the season and the supporters.”
“Bolton played very well against Derby and hit the woodwork three times in their Championship opener last weekend.
“That left the fans in a buoyant mood, but Tuesday’s cup defeat to Burton Albion took some of the gloss off that.
“They’ve not struggled for goals in pre-season, but should have scored against both Derby and Burton. Neil Lennon hopes to have a couple of new signings in time for the Boro trip.
“But with the financial situation, any improvement on last season’s 18th-placed finish would have to be seen as a positive campaign for Bolton."
A home debut is always a good time to score and claim instant hero status. So if you fancy a flutter on a football fairytale there are plenty of options.
Cristhian Stuani opened his account at Oldham with a brace and looked hungry. If you want to back him as first goal-scorer you can get 5/1 at Sky Bet, with Grant Leadbitter the same price and Kike at 9/2.
New recruit David Nugent may also feature, but is probably more likely to be introduced from the bench. He's 9/2 for the first goal, 13/8 to score anytime and 50/1 to net a debut hat-trick.
Or what about prodigal playmaker Stewart Downing? You can get 15/2 for the Teessider to mark his Riverside return with the opener.
On-loan Italian livewire Diego Fabbrini may be worth a shout too after a sparkling show at Oldham in midweek. He is priced at 7/1 as first scorer.
Kieren Fallon is set to team up with Aidan O'Brien in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot on Saturday.
Antonius Pius and Ace are both intended runners from the Ballydoyle stable with stable jockey Jamie Spencer having the choice of mounts.
"I think he rides one of Aidan O'Brien's, so it'll either be Ace or Antonius Pius," said Fallon's agent Dave Pollington.
Unraced at two, Ace only made his debut in June but has won all his three races, culminating in a Group Three success at Leopardstown last month.
In contrast, Antonius Pius has endured a luckless three-year-old campaign, highlighted by his dramatic defeat in the French 2000 Guineas when he led 50 yards from home only to hit the rails and finish fifth.
However, he did finish third in the St James's Palace Stakes over Saturday's course and distance in June, when other QEII probables Diamond Green, Haafhd and Bachelor Duke were second, fourth and seventh respectively to Azamour.
Bachelor Duke has not raced since then but has been cut to 12-1 from 16s with Ladbrokes today and is reported in fine shape by James Toller.
"He's been working very well and seems in good form. It's all go at the moment barring anything catastrophic going wrong," the Newmarket trainer said.
"Seb (Sanders) will ride him. He's ridden him a lot in his work and he's been quite pleased with him."
Favourite Soviet Song has continued to attract support and has been cut to 11-4 from 3-1 with Coral.
"We have laid nearly 50 grand at 3-1 on Soviet Song and have reluctantly fallen into line with other bookies at 11-4," said Coral spokesman Simon Clare.
But after speaking to trainer Barry Hills, owner Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum's racing manager Angus Gold indicated that it is not definite that the colt will run at the weekend.
"He worked well this morning but a decision on whether he goes to Ascot will not be made until after I have spoken to Sheikh Hamdan," Gold said.
"We need to be confident that he can recapture the form he showed when he won the Guineas and we know that he's a better horse when he's well and at the top of his form.
Norse Dancer will take his chance as part of an end-of-season campaign which will culminate in a tilt at the Hong Kong Cup.
Describing his Juddmonte International and Irish Champion Stakes runner-up in "terrific form", trainer David Elsworth said: "This season I planned to win three Group races with him and we've managed only one so far.
Michael Jarvis is not concerned about bringing Rakti back in trip as the five-year-old tackles a mile for the first time.
The Newmarket handler believes his charge has a high enough cruising speed to be able to compete over the distance - and will relish the return to the scene of his Prince Of Wales's Stakes triumph.
Jarvis said: "He loves Ascot. It's a step back in distance, but he's a horse with plenty of speed so we are hoping he'll go there and run a good race."
The son of Polish Precedent has not been seen at his best on his last two outings, finding the ground too slow in the Eclipse and then never looking likely to hold the Classic generation representatives Azamour and Grey Swallow in the Irish Champion Stakes.
Jarvis added: "He's well in himself - he's come out of his race in Ireland perfectly fine. If the weather keep dry, he's a likely runner."
Pat Dobbs will take the ride on the three-year-old, who has been restricted to just two starts this season after ending his juvenile campaign with a fine second to American Post in the Racing Post Trophy.
"It's a hot race and although Fantastic View ran a good enough race on his comeback at Doncaster, he needs to improve a long way to figure," said Hannon.
The ex-American-trained colt is instead set to be rerouted to a Group Three contest at Newmarket next week.