CALLS have been made for the ‘brakes to be put on’ plans to redevelop Clitheroe market.

Opposition councillors in Ribble Valley have united in calling for an extraordinary council meeting about the development.

They are calling for the redevelopment proposals to be paused and for there to be a ‘wide, deep and meaningful consultation process before any new plans are drawn up’.

Lib Dem leader of the opposition, Cllr Allan Knox, said: “All of the opposition councillors are united in their criticism of the consultation process.

“The process is the same sort of consultation a developer carries out when they want to foist hundreds of new houses on a town already drowning under new house building.

“The market belongs to all of us but the council have come up with a take it or leave it solution. That is not real consultation.”

Clitheroe market trader and Pendle councillor Eileen Ansar said: “The market traders have not been consulted at all during the consultation process.

“Thousands have objected against it, they’re going against the history and heritage of the area.”

A letter has been sent to the mayor and chief executive of the council calling for the meeting and further consultation.

Council leader, Cllr Stuart Hirst, said: “I do regard this as premature, as the existing consultation has only just finished and we are awaiting feedback.

“I’m anxious that there should be an open and meaningful consultation on the plans before we go forward.”