Brewery Yard reaction

The multi-million-pound scheme, due to be completed in two years time, has received a cautious welcome by leading traders.

Trader John Bannon, who praised the plans, said: "This is one of the best thought-out and well funded schemes I have seen in Abergavenny in the last 20 years."

The comments came at a presentation of designs by Monmouthshire county council to members of Abergavenny Chamber of Trade.

Monmouthshire county council's regeneration officer, Rick Longford explained that architect MacGregor Smith came up with three options for the scheme, expected to cost £2.5million, and chose one for consultation. The preferred option would see Cibi stream become a feature of the site, glazed canopies with space for 74 stalls and four widened terraces created.

Mr Longford said this option is the 'most radicial' of the three put forward. He said: "Designs include a fan of steps from the Upper level to the Lower level. It will create more public space, a new public toilet building and potential caf."

The plans reveal that out of 160 car parking spaces, 59 would be lost. "There is a loss but it is not one of the most heavily used car parks in Abergavenny," he added.

Mr Longford highlighted the importance of Market Street, the linkage and the need to create a more pedestrian friendly area.

"We are talking to people involved with properties on that street and looking at giving design ideas to the owners of the buildings and the sort of support we can give," he said.

The issue of traffic along Cross Street and Market Street is still in the melting pot with a number of suggestions being put forward. They include reducing vehicle access to Market Street between 10am-4pm on Tuesdays but council officers say its not practical to close those streets off because they provide access to premises.

Trader John Bannon said: "My initial impression is it's a lovely scheme providing it is totally funded.

"It would be nice to see a piazza where people can come into Abergavenny, park and use the facilities.

"At long last things are happening in a positive way."

Mr Longford admitted that around 30 percent of funding from the sale of the livestock market has been allocated to the Brewery Yard development. "If we don't secure the funding from the cattle market we will be short on this scheme. Potentially 30 percent of it rests on Asda."

The county council needs to secure funding from other agencies by July if the scheme is to go ahead.

It hopes to secure £1million from the Welsh Assembly Government. "If it goes to plan we hope it will be completed by 2008," said Mr Longford. He allayed the fears of market traders who are concerned they won't be able to trade whilst construction is underway.

"The worst thing we can do is to close the market for six months while we do it.

"It's about relocating stalls around the town such as Cross Street while we do this."

John Bannon said that whilst he welcomed the scheme traders are cautious.

"Given the promises we have had with the Asda development we are suspicious. It has been a farce."

ACT President, Andy Hinksman added: "We feel we have been treated shoddily and let down by proposals which scares the hell out of us with a scheme like this. We are concerned."

The proposed artwork designs for the scheme has proven controversial. The designs, by artist Howard Bowcott, who is behind sculptures in Chepstow town centre, include a five-foot-high brick-built giant shopping bag and 'beer barrel features'.

But Cllr Jane Fousler, who has previously criticised the proposed public artwork, said: "There could be something much more beautiful there." Monmouthshire county council's head of economic development, Rick Longford, said that the designs have been met with mixed reaction.

Monmouthshire county council's regeneration officer, Colin Phillips explained that whilst some of the proposals put forward are a bit 'quirky' they may not be included in the final design.