THE long-awaited relocation of a cattle market has taken a step forward at a fiesty council meeting.

Feelings ran high at a special meeting of Darlington Borough Council, where councillors approved plans for the transfer of Darlington Cattle Market from its town centre site to purpose-built premises on the edge of town.

As well as backing the move in principle, members also approved a £2m bridging loan to Darlington Farmers Auction Market (DFAM), the private company that runs the market.

A two-thirds majority was needed to approve the decision, which was ultimately passed by a greater majority, with only one councillor voting against.

Moving the market from its Clifton Road location, which is surrounded by houses, has been a long-term ambition for not only the council and DFAM, but also nearby residents.

Although describing the proposals as a 'golden opportunity' to finally relocate the market, veteran Conservative councillor Bill Stenson had little sympathy for those living near the market.

He said: "There has always been trouble with the residents, but the cattle market has been there longer and the residents where aware when they bought their houses that there was a cattle market close by."

Labour's Cyndi Hughes, portfolio holder for children and young people, referred to the tragic deaths of Jack Hunter and Kyle Hull, two boys who died in similar accidents at the market more than two decades apart.

She described the proposals as 'the best chance in a generation to get the cattle market moved out of town'.

Dissenting voices came from Liberal Democrat councillor Joe Kelley and Conservative former mayor Gerald Lee.

Cllr Kelley – who ultimately voted in favour of the proposals – criticised the brevity of the report presented to councillors, saying it caused 'confusion' and questioned the rate of interest payable on the bridging loan.

Cllr Lee, who was the only councillor to reject the plans, said members had the responsibility to be well enough informed about the proposals, so as to be able to explain the decision to voters in their own wards, if questioned on the matter.

He said: "It is both interesting and alarming that the residential value of the Clifton Road site is just £1million.

"That's a long way off the estimate in 2009, of £4.5million, and is an enormous devaluation of the land in a relatively short period of time."

Cllr Lee said there was an 'unfortunate lack of information' contained in the report presented to members.

Labour's Ian Haszeldine, in response to Cllr Lee, described the document as a 'superb report, which gives all the information we as members need to know'.

He also directed personal remarks at Cllr Lee, which he withdrew and apologised for following a rebuke from the chairman, deputy mayor Brian Jones.

Temperatures were further raised when council leader Bill Dixon spoke in favour of the proposals, vowing that the council would not lose money on the project, amid repeated attempts by other councillors to interrupt him.