CAMPAIGNERS opposed to the new regional livestock market site are requesting a 'call-in' on the decision.

Last week Monmouthshire County Council's (MCC) planning committee passed plans for a regional livestock market at Bryngwyn, near Raglan.

Members of the Keep Abergavenny Livestock Market (KALM) campaign have now asked for the decision to be to called in.

Member Barry Greenwood said "This package is called a 'regeneration plan' for Abergavenny.

"In reality there remains massive opposition to these plans on the grounds that such a move will lead to the destruction of the town's market town status, visitor industry, independent retailing sector and social cohesion as well as the once-and-for-all loss of a perfectly good five acre livestock market site.

"The latter, all agree, does badly need refurbishing."

A petition signed by almost 5,000 individuals was presented to the National Assembly Petitions Committee recently as well as KALM's case - which is undergoing scrutiny.

"The committee has been asked not to repeal the Abergavenny Improvement Acts of 1854 - 1871, which protect the existence of a livestock market in the town," said Mr Greenwood.

"KALM is requesting the call-in because the issues in hand satisfy several criteria for call-in listed in Planning Policy Wales.

"The chairperson stated the belief that a new regional market would now be able to attract business from across the border in England. Following the closure of Newport market, Abergavenny market is already attracting livestock trade from the Vale of Glamorgan and Powys.

"This clearly gives grounds for call-in. The whole project to close Abergavenny market and build a regional market has caused immense controversy as the 5,270 shopper letters of opposition, 303 farmer letters of opposition and nearly 5,000 petitions signatures testify, from people spread over a huge area extending way beyond the borders of Monmouthshire. 

"The complex interplay between the re-development of the Abergavenny livestock market, the linked and dependent development of a regional livestock market elsewhere and the compromised position of MCC as landlord of the Abergavenny site, owner of the Bryn Gywn site and having a financial interest in the whole deal creates a novel and possibly unprecedented planning situation which satisfies PPW section 4.12.1 criterion as an issue which "raises novel planning issues."

Mr Greenwood added, "We believe this planning committee decision was the outcome of a stage-managed process.

"These planning decisions can never be taken by this council in a way which will command the confidence of Monmouthshire citizens.

"If this long-running monumental planning mess doesn't qualify for independent scrutiny and adjudication, it is difficult to envisage what would qualify," he said.