COUNCILLORS have made a u-turn over plans to build a hotel at the centre of a £9million redevelopment of Clitheroe Market.

Ribble Valley Council were forced to reopen a consultation into the controversial plans after residents and traders expressed concern.

The council’s policy and finance committee have now set up a steering group, which will be led by council leader, Cllr Ken Hind.

Last night, Cllr Hind said the group had listened to the response of the consultation and as a result scrapped plans for the hotel.

He said: “We listened to the public in a wide-ranging consultation that took views from a cross-section of people, including residents, business leaders and market traders.

“The consultation revealed support for the redevelopment of Clitheroe town centre with a modern market at its heart, but in response to public opinion the scheme will now not include a hotel.

“The aim of the redevelopment is to bring a new lease of life to the market and surrounding area, and the potential for attracting top new retailers and significant economic development to Clitheroe town centre.

“We are a positive can-do council working in the interests of the whole community and our policy and finance committee has decided to set up a steering group to take the redevelopment forward.

“The steering group will continue the excellent work of the working group, which led the consultation and visited several award-winning, successful markets

“Barnfield has been asked to redesign the scheme based on the working group’s findings and details will be unveiled in due course.”