Town councillors, residents and traders fear that plans to develop the site will kill the current shopping centre and will adversely affect the lives of hundreds of people who live nearby.

Officials from the East Riding of Yorkshire Council have recommended that proposals to create a massive store on the site and another off George Street should be deferred by tomorrow's planning committee 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 will be a public inquiry on both matters - something those against the schemes would welcome as an inquiry will give them more opportunity to air their grievances.

Objectors claim that in the case of the cattle market site, a supermarket development will create horrendous traffic problems, with perhaps more than 20 large lorries a day trying to reach the site via narrow roads such as Eastgate South, Albion Street and Galloway Lane.

They also contend that people living on those roads would be likely to lose the ability to park outside their own homes, as protestors believe that a traffic regulation order would have to be brought in to ease congestion and reduce potential hazards.

Planning officials say the Eastgate South and Albion Street route was previously used by a significant number of HGVs when the cattle market was open but protesters argue that cattle lorries were nowhere near the length of current supermarket delivery vehicles.

ERYC officers also say that the cattle market site is an allocated extension to the defined shopping area of Driffield and council policy encourages the comprehensive redevelopment of the site for retail and other subsidiary uses.

Furthermore, they say that the current cattle market is a derelict eyesore and provides a focus for anti social activities.

"The proposed scheme presents an opportunity for the comprehensive redevelopment of the site," according to a report to be considered by the planning committee tomorrow.

Meanwhile, a company called Alsop Verrill, a town planning and development consultancy which has been acting alongside the applicants, the Driffield Cattle Market Company, has put out a press release claiming that the public prefers the cattle market plans to a larger Tesco in Driffield.

A telephone survey, by Allegra Strategies, was held in the last few days of November and obtained the views of 704 people about plans for shopping development in the town.

The press release, issued by Louisa Bello, of Alsop Verrill, said: "People were well-informed about what is going on, with a massive 84.8 per cent aware of proposals to improve the town's shopping facilities.

"However, it's clear that what the majority want is a choice of supermarket to the Tesco on George Street, with 63.6 per cent of those who'd like to see more saying that they would like to see competition such as Asda, Sainsbury's or Morrisons.

"This compares with 39.2 per cent who would like to see a larger Tesco store - people could opt to choose both if they liked.

The press release added: "Significantly, 78.4 per cent of those that would like to see improved shopping facilities in Driffield said that they wanted 'other shopping facilities' in the town centre - something that features strongly in the plans for the Cattle Market and adjoining land between Market Place and Eastgate South.

"Respondents emphasised the need for plentiful and free car parking, including 'long-stay', again important parts of the proposals for the cattle market."
steve.petch@yrnltd.co.uk