TRADERS in Brynmawr town centre say they are "pleased" Blaenau Gwent councillors have refused plans to further develop the former Dunlop Semtex site (pictured).

Over 1000 people signed a petition objecting to the plans submitted by Maincourse Developments Ltd to build two new single-storey retail buildings over 1,672 square metres, comprising of three stores and to include 82 car parking spaces.

Glenys Morgan, owner of Records and Cards and also vice-chairwoman of Brynmawr Business Forum, said, "We are very pleased with the decision.

"It's nice to hear we have support from our local councillors who have noticed the impact it would have on the town.

"We've already had one development which has had an impact and taken away some support but we need to stress what a nice selection of shops Brynmawr has to offer."

Objections to the development came from shop owners, residents, councillors and local Assembly Member and resident Trish Law, all concerned about the effect it would have on the town.

Ms Morgan, who has had a business in Brynmawr for 30 years adds, "The development would have been in direct competition with the town, we can cope with the competition if it's within the town, but this would be an out-of-town development, taking people out the town.

"A lot of work went into the objections. We have had support from many people, many of whom supported the Asda development but saw what it has done to the town and are now against the new development."

She adds that some traders think a link between the Lakeside site and the town would be beneficial but Ms Morgan doesn't think it would help. She said, "Personally I don't see how it would. People are not going to do their shopping at Asda, be laden down with bags and come into town, no amount of links is going to work."

She also thinks more money should be spent on improving the town centre.

"If the council has funding available they should help the town, because it's a lovely little town, with a range of independent shops which are much more interesting.

"The town centre is at the hub of the community, take the community away and the town dies."

Councillors at a planning committee last week turned town the plans citing a number of issues including the potential impact on the town centre and the absence of adequate pedestrian links between the site and the town.

Ms Morgan concluded, "We don't know what is going to happen in the future but if there is an appeal we are prepared to fight again."