COUNCIL bosses are challenging a claim by a major local landowner for £251,000 in costs following a planning appeal.

Ryedale District Council turned down the Fitzwilliam Malton Estate’s proposals for a supermarket and other shops at the Malton Livestock Market site last year.

But a Government planning inspector later ruled the scheme should be allowed and said the authority should reconsider its controversial approval of plans to develop Wentworth Street car park.

The council has agreed in principle to sell part of the car park for a possible supermarket scheme, which would be worth £5m.

Now, the Fitzwilliam Estate’s solicitors, Pinsent Masons, have lodged a claim against the authority for costs totalling £251,505 following its successful appeal against the original planning decision.

Of this sum, £131,726.94 relates to legal fees and £41,917.90 relates to VAT.

The estate’s appeal has already cost the council £10,325 in legal fees and £30,229 in other professional costs..