AN EMERGENCY meeting has been called following fall-out surrounding new plans for a town’s market.

Ribble Valley Borough Council called the meeting on Tuesday after a planning meeting which saw new plans for the market place in Clitheroe unveiled.

The plans were met with strong objections from opposition parties, who say plans contradict the market place public consultation, which took place in 2016.

A cross-party group of Clitheroe councillors have now taken action in a bid to stop Conservative-run Ribble Valley Council ‘ploughing ahead’ with their plans for Clitheroe Market, until the decision has been put before all councillors.

The five opposition councillors did this by activating a process known as the ‘call-in’.

Cllr Allan Knox, the leading signatory of the ‘call-in’ ,said: “On the 19th of June, the council’s Policy and Finance Committee decided to press ahead, after a secret debate, with their plans for the market.

“This totally contradicted the public consultation that we fought so hard to get and the subsequent decisions of the Market Working Group.

“I have always argued that to improve the market we need evolution not revolution and that the 800 year-old Market belongs to everyone, not just Ribble Valley council who are the current custodians.”

But Conservative Councillors have seen the activation of the ‘call-in’ as an attempt by Liberal Democrat and Labour Councillors to derail plans.

Kind Hind, leader of the Ribble Valley Borough Council, said: “This is the 4th attempt in 20 years to regenerate the centre of Clitheroe.

“This decision has been carefully thought out and follows approval of a tender from Barnfield Developments who are providing investment estimated to be £9 million to redevelop the centre of Clitheroe.”

“This development could be put in danger by the actions of opposition parties.”

If issues with the plan cannot be resolved in this evenings meeting (Thursday 28), then it will go to full-council on July 10 where a decision will be made.