Raglan market approved (From Free Press Series)

Raglan market approved

10:36am Wednesday 15th July 2009

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MONMOUTHSHIRE'S lengthy battle for a new cattle market may still not be over, though councillors approved the £5million development near Raglan.

Jeremy Mead of the Bryngwyn Action Group and fellow campaigners are pledging to launch an appeal after 12 of the 13 members present at yesterday's planning meeting dismissed traffic and noise concerns close to High House Farm in Bryngwyn.

Barry Greenwood of Kalm (Keep Abergavenny Livestock Market) said he was "extremely disappointed but not surprised" by the decision.

Raglan's own Cllr Andrew Crump was among those speaking in favour of the scheme, arguing that councillors had to consider the county's wider needs after markets in Monmouth, Newport and Abergavenny had shut down.

Waving away villagers' concerns, he said: "We have to divorce ourselves from local issues."

His chief concern was over traffic on the existing Raglan A40 roundabout but planning chief George Ashworth said highway improvements could be accomodated. And having been to view the new, larger, Salisbury Cattle Market he is confident lighting and noise can be similarly kept under control.

The 3,689m2 building which will have parking for 42 cars, 48 lorries and 68 trailers. It would be large enough to house 2,400 sheep and 790 cows and would be accessed by Groesonen Road.

The site is currently used to farm free-range poultry and there will be two or three markets a week.

The proposed site next to High House Farm in Bryngwyn was first given planning permission by Monmouthshire County Council in January 2008, but this decision was quashed by the High Court last October.

Ten letters of opposing the plans were sent to the council over these new plans – and Mr Mead said he would not give up yet.

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