Cattle market plans revealed (From Free Press Series)

Cattle market plans revealed

AN exciting and innovative scheme has been drawn up by Monmouthshire County Council for the cattle market site in Abergavenny.

The plans are certain to please traders and concerned residents, because many of the features they called for have been included.

Not only does the scheme include a 25,000sq.ft. foodstore, but also a new library and 31 flats, of which some will be in the affordable housing bracket, plus 262 car parking spaces, 31 of them for residents.

The scheme also includes, as a later integral phase, the refurbishment of the Brewery Yard, so that it becomes an important open space in the town, said the council's environment director Jeff Martin.

He stressed that no specific foodstore operator had been chosen, but tenders would be invited from interested supermarket companies when planning permission is obtained for the scheme.

He said advertisements would be placed in the Estates Gazette by the end of March, inviting bids by the end of April.

The plans will go on display in the One-Stop Shop in Abergavenny on February 9, and officers will be available at a manned display in the council chamber before the end of the month for people to make their comments.

Principal projects officer Chris Jones said: " We want the foodstore to greet the town so the entrance will be opposite Market Street, with the exit on the side of the car parking spaces.

"There will also be 14 flats alongside Lion Street and a new library where some of the buildings now stand, with 10 flats above."

The council intends to retain the old slaughterhouse and create five units, using the ground floor for hospitality purposes - food and drink - and seven loft-type flats in the second storey.

A new pedestrian access to link the site with Bailey Park will be created on the Park Road end, but the council intends to retain as much of the boundary wall as possible.

The plans now go to the council's own planning department. Debra Hill-Howells, head of asset management explained: " We want to offer the site with planning permission for this scheme to ensure that we can control the development as the landowners."

Cllr Andre Arkell, chairman of the local Bryn y Cwm area committee said: " This scheme is the start of the regeneration of Abergavenny town centre, and what is appealing to me is the link right through to Bailey Park. It's a good vision and it's a living development."

He added: " It is extremely important that we do not do anything that would undermine the indoor and outdoor markets - our Jewels In The Crown. This scheme protects our markets."

Clive Hamersley, head of economic development said: " We have listened to the townspeople and the traders and there are elements of the scheme which reflect this."

Mr Martin said negotiations were ongoing to secure a site for a replacement livestock market. He said the council was holding talks with the auctioneers and with other leaseholders on the site.