An appeal decision was reached this week by the planning inspectorate following the refusal of the initial application.

The cattle market, associated buildings, car parking and ancillary activities will now be located on the showground site.

Objections to the relocation process were discussed during a three day inquiry in April, including concerns over the problems of visual impact, associated highway congestion, and whether the rural character of the site was suitable for a cattle market.

South Oxfordshire District Council maintained the view that a new location was needed for the cattle market, but did not favour the showground site.

The appeal, by R G Williams Ltd, argued there was an urgency for the cattle market to be relocated as the existing site was too small and, located within the town, offered no room for expansion.

A report from the Animal Health Executive Agency of DEFRA said the current market site was too small to cater for special sale days.

Other shortcomings included a lack of covered pen space and the flexibility to deal with any biosecurity issues as well as a lack of space to provide facilities for visitors and customers.

Despite the restrictions placed on the market by a lack of space, SODC found the market to be operating successfully and financially viable.

Peter Bailey, managing director of Thame Farmers Auction Mart Ltd, said: "It's the best news I have heard. We will have a new market without the confined space that we have had. It will be a huge benefit to the town and to the Thame show."

The appeal report said the market enjoyed a strong relationship with the showground site in relation to its geographical proximity and in the agricultural industry as a whole.

The cost of the Thame show could be reduced by up to ten per cent as the permanent buildings used for the cattle market could be used for the show as well. The Show made a loss last year and it is thought that the facilities of the cattle market on an adjacent site would help secure its future.

Some residents expressed concerns that the proposal would result in additional dangers for road users around the proposed site entrance, but Oxfordshire County Council's highways department said it was satisfied with the proposed access arrangements.

The issue of possible drainage problems was also raised by residents and this was backed by SODC who cited it as one of the reasons to refuse the appeal.

Drainage for the site, however, was entirely separate from the existing system.

The report also concluded that the site would not be detrimental to the local landscape.

SODC has requested that the hours of use are restricted from 6.30am to 6.30pm on Monday to Saturday.

The development will begin within the next two years.