DESPITE the Keep Abergavenny Livestock Market pressure group dropping its right to appeal following the Welsh Government's repeal of the Abergavenny Acts, the campaigners have vowed to fight on.

In a statement the group said it was continuing to fight to keep a modernised livestock market in the centre of the town, adding, "KALM has dropped its right to appeal following the Welsh Government's repeal of the Abergavenny Acts.

"KALM has, however, applied to the Court of Appeal in London to proceed with our appeal against the planning consent for Morrisons to purchase and build on Abergavenny livestock market site.

"When the livestock market has gone, gone too will be the best chance we have ever had to regenerate Abergavenny for the future, to move with the times and secure a prosperity rooted in farming, food and local sustainability."

In response to KALM's assertions, Monmouthshire County Council's Project Director, Steve Greenslade said, "The judge dismissed KALM's Judicial Review of the Welsh Government Minister's decision to repeal the ancient Abergavenny Acts and also rejected the group's application for her to reconsider.

"KALM then announced its Appeal to the Court of Appeal, which has now been withdrawn. This removes the only barrier to the closure of the old Abergavenny Livestock Market."

Mr Greenslade then turned his attention to the replacement market in Bryngwyn and added, "A Welsh Government Inspector upheld the council's Compulsory Purchase Order, which had been contested by Mr Jack Hanbury-Tenison, and effectively removed shooting rights he held over the council-owned new market site at Bryngwyn.

"Mr Hanbury-Tenison announced his intention to challenge that decision but has recently withdrawn.

"This removes the only barrier to constructing the new livestock market."

Mr Greenslade concluded, "The only remaining legal action is that KALM is still intending to pursue its appeal to the Court of Appeal challenging the dismissal of its Judicial Review against the Morrison's planning consent.

"This has no impact on the closure of the Abergavenny market or the building of its replacement. 

"Given that the judge not only dismissed KALM's arguments but also decisively rejected its application for that decision to be reviewed, KALM's prospects of success in the Court of Appeal must be considered very low.

"Even if successful, the response of Morrison's may well be to correct any procedural error identified by the judge and return to the council with an amended planning application.

"It cannot stop the development, merely identify any process error that the previous Judicial Review hearings failed to notice."

Councillor Bob Greenland, MCC's Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member responsible for regeneration added: "It is clear that KALM has withdrawn from actively opposing the closure of the Abergavenny livestock market and the construction and opening of the new one at Bryngwyn.

"There are no longer any legal impediments to the council delivering on the promises we have made to the farmers of Monmouthshire and the people of Abergavenny."