A NEW project designed to boost regeneration in Ryedale is being pioneered by the district council's planning and economic development units.

A development trust has been set up, aiming to revitalise market towns, create new jobs and establish community enterprises.

Economic development manager Andrew Leeming and Julian Rudd, manager for local plans and conservation in Ryedale, said the trust will act as the delivery organisation for future regeneration, development and enhancement projects.

"We are leading a new push to encourage regeneration and enhancement of Ryedale's market towns," said Mr Leeming.

"It will make the aspirations and ideas being brought forward through the area partnership schemes covering Malton, Norton, Helmsley, Pickering and Kirkbymoorside, and the district council's plan a reality."

The first step will be a joint project with Yorkshire Forward, the government regional development agency, to investigate redevelopment options for several key sites in Malton and Norton.

The trust aims to pull in funding from Brussels, the Government, National Lottery, Yorkshire Forward and private companies, he said.

Mr Rudd said: "A development trust is a community-based organisation working for the sustainable regeneration of an area through a mixture of economic, environmental, social and cultural activities."

Some of the activities it could pursue include managing industrial and commercial workspace units for businesses, building new workshops specifically for young entrepreneurs, helping to preserve and refurbish buildings and running training programmes.

Mr Leeming said the plan was to establish the trust this year and for it to be fully operational by next April.

Ryedale councillors have given it their backing after being assured that the district council would be involved in the trust's development.

A shadow board and steering group are also to be set up.

But Liberal Councillor John Clark said he had reservations about the project.

He feared the trust could focus too much on the market towns.

"Setting up such a trust could take away decision making from elected members," he said.

"I am very wary of it."

Updated: 10:04 Monday, June 09, 2003