PLANS to build a new Morrisons store in Abergavenny have been finalised two years after the branch was originally planned to be opened.

Monmouthshire County Council announced today that the lease had been signed and building work on the former Cattle Market site can now begin.

Morrisons was chosen as the preferred developer to build a multi-million pound scheme on the site of the former market, which closed in 2013.

The council signed a legally-binding contract with the firm to build a 25,000 square foot store and began clearing the site in preparation for the scheme in the following year.

The long-awaited agreement will be similar to the original terms but will include changes in financial payment conditions due to the change in market conditions since the contract was originally entered into in 2010.

According to Councillor Bob Greenland, a premium of £13.75 million has been paid and rental payments of £160,000 per annum will be payable from February 2018 for a period of 25 years.

The Cabinet Member for Innovation, Enterprise and Leisure said: “We are pleased to confirm that Monmouthshire County Council and Morrisons have now formally entered into the lease for the site of the Abergavenny Cattle Market to enable the long awaited construction of a new food store in the heart of Abergavenny.

"Both Monmouthshire County Council and Morrisons are now keen to move the development of the site forward and a planning application for an amended supermarket scheme has been received by our planning authority.

"The planning team are awaiting additional information and amended plans to support the application, and public consultation will commence as soon as these are received."

Cllr Greenland added that the council's planning officer is expected to receive the information within a fortnight, with a view to report the application to the Planning Committee meeting in December.

Abergavenny councillor John Prosser also welcomed the news at county council yesterday, saying that he had been 'constantly asked' about the progress of the build.

The Priory ward member said: "It's been several years now and it's been a moving situation so I'm very pleased to hear that, it gives confidence to the future of Abergavenny and lets hope it brings a lot of footfall into Abergavenny for the prosperity of all."