600 jobs to be created as work starts on Food Enterprise Zone

PLANS for a livestock market and business park are underway at Yorkshire’s only designated Food Enterprise Zone.

The scheme is set to create 600 jobs upon completion, with developers projecting that 2,000 more will be created indirectly.

Developers CDP have started work at Eden Camp in Malton, after a detailed planning application was approved by Ryedale District Council in August 2015.

CDP’s project is being partly funded with a £2.1m grant through the Local Growth Fund, awarded by the York, North Yorkshire and East Riding Local Enterprise Partnership.

The site was given ‘Food Enterprise Zone’ status by the Government following a proposal from Ryedale District Council and the LEP.

Initial infrastructure works will take around six months to complete. Funding for the delivery of the livestock market is “being worked out”.

Charles Vyvyan of CDP commented: “This heralds a key landmark for this project and it’s great news that infrastructure work has started.

“When we got outline planning in 2014, we acknowledged that securing planning was the first step towards saving the Livestock Market and the LEP Grant was critical to our ability to fund the necessary Infrastructure.

“It is a major vote of confidence and investment in Malton and we hope will be the catalyst to creating a successful Food Enterprise Zone.”

Cllr Linda Cowling, Leader of Ryedale District Council and a deputy Board member for the LEP, commented: “Ryedale Council gives a strong priority to supporting our local economy and helping businesses to thrive in our area.

“Through our planning and economic development teams we have worked closely with the developers to deliver this major opportunity to provide quality jobs for local people, including a Food Enterprise Zone and space to accommodate a new Livestock Market”.

Barry Dodd CBE, Chairman of the York, North Yorkshire and East Riding Enterprise Partnership, said: “Malton is one of the six Food Enterprise Zones announced nationally by the government in March, and a great step towards our becoming a global leader in food, agri-tech and biorenewables.

“As a largely rural area we need to maximise our opportunities at sites like Malton where there is strong market demand for business space. Locating the business park near the livestock market increases their connectivity which should drive wider economic growth and help ensure the continued success of our vibrant communities.”