Ryedale District Council is to launch the consultation this week to inform the public of plans to adopt a Local Development Order (LDO) for the Malton Food Enterprise Zone, that will encourage food and agricultural businesses to set up and grow in the area, alongside the relocated livestock market and potentially an agricultural training facility.
In March 2015, the Malton Food Enterprise Zone (FEZ) was awarded by Government; one of 17 awarded nationally. A FEZ is a Government scheme aimed at boosting the economy in the countryside, making it easier for food and farming related businesses to prosper locally.
The site, on the northern edge of Malton, which will be known as Eden Business Park and Food Enterprise Zone, will bring 16,000m 2 of high quality business park and 7,500 m 2 dedicated to an agricultural business park, with potential for the relocated livestock market, agricultural training facility and associated businesses. It is anticipated that 600 direct jobs will be created on the site.
Charles Vyvyan of CDP, representing the site developers said
“The proposals include a detailed Design Code which outlines the quality of design and build that will be adopted for the site. A full landscaping plan has been developed to reflect the image of the site and to complement existing businesses in the locality.”
The adoption of the LDO would mean that all customary planning processes that would usually apply to the site are dealt with in one advance procedure. This means that all the plans will be considered together, giving members of the public the opportunity to be consulted and comment on the proposals as a whole.
If approved and adopted by Ryedale District Council, the LDO will effectively grant planning consent for future development in line with the food enterprise use, without the need for further applications. Non food businesses would still be able to locate on the site, but would need to go through the full planning process.
Cllr Linda Cowling, Leader of Ryedale District Council said
“Tremendous progress has been made on the site since construction started in February, within its existing outline planning permission. This LDO will take us to the next stage, making it easier for food and agricultural businesses to locate on the site and benefit from support and innovation that a food cluster can bring.”
The public consultation begins on Tuesday 25th October and will continue until Friday 25th November. There will also be a public exhibition where interested businesses and residents can view the plans and learn more about the LDO, its process and ask questions about the proposals, in the Talbot Hotel on Tuesday 25th October 2pm to 7pm. Copies of all the evidence base in respect of the LDO will also be available to view at RDC Offices, Ryedale House, Malton during normal office hours and can be viewed online at http://www.ryedale.gov.uk/pages/council-information/consultations.html