Cattle market's secret developer is chosen, but not revealed (From Free Press Series)

Cattle market's secret developer is chosen, but not revealed

THE developer of Abergavenny cattle market site has been chosen - but is still a secret.

Monmouthshire County Council cannot release the name of the company which the cabinet chose last week - until the legal agreement is signed.

Council leader Andrew Crump said: "After seven months of marketing and assessment of proposals from various developers and food operators, the cabinet has reached a key milestone in the regeneration of Abergavenny town centre.

"Once we are able to announce the name of the successful developer and food store, I am keen to engage with the people of Abergavenny as soon as possible to gain their views on the emerging scheme."

The council made a short-list of two developers from the initial 23, and there is wide speculation that Tesco was one of the finalists.

The company holds an option on the long lease held by the Abergavenny Auctioneers, and is known to have been keen to build a larger store in the town centre for the past decade.

The company was believed to be behind the application for the cattle market site submitted five years ago by Carter Commercial Developments, which went into liquidation last year.

A scheme for a food store on the site, plus 31 flats, a new library and office block has already got permission.