Officials from the East Riding of Yorkshire Council have recommended that proposals to create a massive store on the site of the former Driffield cattle market and another off George Street should be deferred and then delegated to one of their own officers for approval - unless the Secretary of State calls in the applications.

If the applications are called in, there would be a public inquiry on both - something those against the schemes would welcome as an inquiry will give them more opportunity to air their grievances.

A leading campaigner, Coun Brent Roach, speaking as a private resident, was incensed at the apparent approval recommendations by the ERYC.
He said: "The ERYC have totally ignored the wishes of the majority of the residents of Driffield.

"Planning officers' recommendations that the second Tesco and second Driff 9 applications should be deferred for planning officers to decide upon is totally wrong.

"Details in the recommendations from the planning officers are so totally incorrect as to be ludicrous.

"The whole thing stinks. Legal challenges are certain to occur if the ERYC officers get their way."

Town council clerk, Mrs Claire Binnington, said: "In my capacity as town clerk, I have seen the passion and energy from many hundreds of residents that have gone into ensuring the ERYC were made aware of their views and their concerns with regard to all these plans.

"I am little short of stunned that the ERYC officers in their report to the Strategic Planning Committee, have considered all these views which such contempt, in particular the detrimental effects these proposals will have on residents at both St Johns Gardens, George Street and also on Albion Street, Eastgate South and Galloway Lane.
"The effect that a huge increase in lorries will have will be devastating.

"It is utter, utter madness that a retail assessment on the impact of the proposed superstore at the cattle market which was so damning of the impact it would have on the town centre shops is now completely disregarded because the developers have moved the superstore 50 yards over the beck and, therefore, its effects don't have to be taken into account because it is now in an area designated 11 years ago by the ERYC as an extension of the primary shopping area.

"We cannot and must not let this happen. The ERYC tells us its policy. Well, what about people's quality of life, their livelihoods and what they want. Where are the policies on this?"

Andy Rafter, of Rafters, said about the cattle market: "I feel physically sick because the people are making these decisions on behalf of the people of Driffield. I have looked at the list and there are 15 of them who do not have any affinity or anything in common or any local connections with the town."

He added: "We are not saying don't develop the area, but do it sympathetically and let's do something to enhance the town centre.

There is no need for such a great big supermarket there. I am quite shocked that this is the initial way that they are looking.

"By the sounds of things, everything that we have done over the last few months has come to nothing.

"I feel I am in the middle of a bad dream because common sense should tell everybody this is not right.

"They have obviously not visited the site to have a look at it. It needs recommending to the Secretary of State and I think it is time for people to do this. That is the only way for common sense to prevail in all this."
The Driffield Cattle Market Company Ltd has applied to the East Riding of Yorkshire Council for permission to build a mixed use development comprising Class A1 retail shops, six dwellings and 28 apartments within the site known as Driff9.

ERYC officers said in a planning report: "The overall scheme is considered to be of an appropriate scheme for Driffield, there are no more sequentially preferable sites within Driffield.

"Finally, this scheme is accessible, being located within the town centre close to public transport and residential properties as well as being located in close proximity to the existing high street."
Officers say the scheme is relatively well designed and reflects the general character of this central part of Driffield.

"The highway control officer is satisfied that the scheme can be justified on technical highway grounds."

A recommendation of deferral followed by officer approval is also made in the case of an application by Tesco to replace its current store and to build non-food retail units and apartments off George Street.

A council officers' report states: "Overall, it is considered that the provision of a replacement supermarket is acceptable in principle.
"It has been demonstrated that there is both a quantitative and qualitative need for the proposed store."

A total of five applications will be considered by the ERYC next month.
Another two - which form alternative proposals from Tesco and for the Driff9 site - are being recommended for refusal.

Officers are also recommending refusal for an application to build three retail units, 18 apartments and seven dwellings on a site currently occupied by the Viking Centre and old post office on Middle Street North.

The application, submitted by Aldi, Doddington Estates and Eatonfield Holdings, was the only one which had won support from campaigners seeking to preserve the character of Driffield town centre.

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