A MAJOR study is to be carried out over the development potential of several key sites in North Yorkshire.

A team of consultants has been appointed to look at six specific areas, all in Malton and Norton, and close to the river and railway line.

They will be examining whether the sites can assist in meeting the needs for new homes, jobs, community facilities and other land uses over the next ten to 15 years.

The consultants have appointed by Ryedale District Council and regional development agency Yorkshire Forward.

Their study will also look at the benefits to the local community if the sites are developed and will also identify measures required to tackle flood risks.

The consultants will draw up a range of development options for each site, which will be used as the basis for a two-day public exhibition, to be held in late April, in Malton.

It will provide details of the various options and give people who live and work in the area the chance to have their say on the future of the sites.

Taking account of the feedback from the public, a preferred development strategy will be prepared, setting out the use, access and design principles to be adopted.

The consultant team is lead by Nathaniel Lichfield and Partners, one of the county's largest independent town planning and urban design consultancies.

They will be working with engineers WSP who will provide specialist input on flood risk and transportation issues, and by property specialists Carter Jonas.

Ryedale's forward planning manager Julian Rudd said: "I hope that local people will come along to the exhibition when it is held to see the options and to give their views on how they would like these areas to be developed."