Residents have complained about smells and noise from the cattle market
People in Darlington are calling for the town's cattle market to be moved to a different site.
A public meeting on Friday heard complaints about smell, noise and traffic disruption from Darlington Farmers Auction Mart (DFAM) on Clifton Road.
There are hopes it could be moved to a purpose-built site on the A68.
DFAM director and head auctioneer Andrew Armstrong said they had been trying to relocate the mart for years.
"We have no future within the centre of the town. We need a new site," he said.
'Aspirational date'
Local MP Jenny Chapman, who chaired the meeting, said she was holding talks with the council and the mart in a bid to arrange a deal.
The Labour MP for Darlington said: "The deal would mean it moves to a much better site, which would be better for their business too.
"It can't be soon enough, is the message from people in the town, it's been causing problems in the community for so long."
She said the move could happen by early 2017.
"But let's be realistic, many things can go wrong, so this date is aspirational," the MP added.
Mr Armstrong said the mart would be releasing further information about its plans soon.
- Published1 January 2011
