Cattle market plan moves ahead (From Free Press Series)

Cattle market plan moves ahead

THE REGENERATION of Abergavenny's historic Cattle Market site begins in earnest today when the team responsible for the project will be created.

The plan means that the Brewery Yard site will be redeveloped and a new livestock market for the whole of Monmouthshire will be built on an alternative site.

The deal was agreed in principle by Monmouthshire cabinet in May last year, and today's meeting will create two teams to work on the project.

Clive Hamersley, head of policy and performance management for the council's environment directorate, will be the project manager if the council agrees with the recommendations to be put before them.

He said: "Approval is now sought for the formal setting-up of the project board and the project team.

"It is proposed that the project board is led by Pam Birchall, the cabinet member for the environment, with delegated powers, and five officers acting in an advisory capacity.

"Jeff Martin, the corporate director for the environment, will have overall responsibility for the direction of the project.

"He will also have responsibility for liaison with members, communication and the promotion of the project within the council and the wider community.

"The redevelopment of the Cattle Market site and Brewery Yard area is a project that will define the future of Abergavenny for many years and will have major regenerative benefits for the town centre.

"The complexity of this project and the long timescale involved require a structured approach and dedicated resources."

A project team of three officers, supported by legal, design, architectural and trasport consultants, will have to decide where the new livestock market is to go and what will replace it at Brewery Yard.

It has previously been suggested that both Tesco and Waitrose are interested in the site, while an application for a new livestock market to be based at Little Castle Farm, Raglan was made in 1999.

The project team are working with a budget of £160,000 for the current year but all expenditure must be recovered from their receipts.