The decision by Monmouthshire County Council's planning committee decision not to support the proposed Aldi store in Abergavenny has been described as a 'missed opportunity' by an local councillor.

Councillor James George was speaking after the committee's decision not to support the store's application, but oppose the application at a special hearing with the planning inspector at the Welsh Assembly Government.

Councillor George said, "To those of us outside the planning committee it seems that's there two different sets of rules being applied to supermarkets wanting to come into the town.

"People in Abergavenny see the council bending over backwards to accommodate Asda. Then they see the county council throw up every possible objection to Alsi."

"There's a real demand from people in the town, and many in my ward, who want a better choice of food shopping. Aldi would have provided that opportunity and would have given some competition to the mega Asda supermarket if it comes about."

Speaking on the refusal Liberal Democrat member, Councillor George said that there were no recorded objections and that "for once all the town's groups, including the town council, had supported the application, with some changes to the design of the building. It's rare to get everyone agreeing – compared to the cattle market development and Asda, this was a straight forward application."

"It's a lost opportunity and a set-back for a lot of people who wanted to see the store come here. We have the bus station opposite and I know a lot of people in my ward for instance, would have used this new supermarket by taking the local bus service that goes around the estates."

Councillor George also pointed out that no where in the documents was talk of money for local projects: "When giving planning application, developments sometime shave to provide 'planning gain' money for the community. Recently in Ross-on-Wye Aldi was given permission to build a store and had to provide £40,000 for local projects including upgrading footpaths and bus stops."

Melissa Toombs, a local resident, contacted Councillor George after hearing the news of the planning committee's refusal. "I alerted James George to the fact that in Herefordshire Aldi got planning permission and had to contribute money to local projects.

"Here we had a great opportunity to get a company to inject some cash in to the restoration of Bailey Park for instance. The money promised will only go so far. So an extra contribution of around £40,000 would have helped put in new secure fencing and help to towards the restoration of the park."

Ms. Toombs added, "The council really have to get smarter in getting the best deal on behalf of residents. Not only has the supermarket application being turned down, the county council didn't even think to ask the company to make a fair contribution to the Town's upkeep and development."

Councillor George added, "That money would have come in very useful to fund projects in the town."