PLANS to redevelop the former Coopers Filters site in Llanfoist have been rejected yet again by Monmouthshire County Council's planning committee over concerns that the viability and vitality of Abergavenny town centre will be affected. Councillors voted by six votes to two against Johnsey Estates' application for outline planning permission to split the former factory site into a four hectares residential area with 160 houses on the river side of the site and to build a 3,252 square metres DIY retail unit, 929 square metres garden centre with 206 parking spaces on the south western corner. As part of the application there would also be space for future retail development which could be found in the town centre, with an additional 155 car parking spaces. The original application was turned down by the committee last month due to concerns over the design of the DIY store. In light of the refusal Johnsey Estates had completely redesigned the store featuring brickwork on the lower edge of the unit instead of panelling and grey roofing material which was felt to be less prominent on the landscape. Head of Planning at Monmouthshire County Council George Ashworth said, "In design terms it's an improvement on what was there previously and similar to one in Chepstow which members recently found favourable." Mr Ashworth said that the authority's consultants had identified the need for DIY space in the town and if this had to go to an edge of town store then the former Coopers site was a particularly good one. Mr Ashworth added if approved, the site would provide much needed desirable housing which was important for the new Llanfoist School and would improve links to Waitrose and the nearby recently improved Westgate Business Park in Llanfoist and between the housing and town centre. Abergavenny Town Councillor Laurie Jones told the meeting that the town council was opposed to the proposal on the grounds that it would have a detrimental effect on the viability of the town centre. "Any new jobs created," said Councillor Jones, "will mean the loss of jobs in the town centre and profits will be exported." Councillor Douglas Edwards also strongly voiced his opposition to the application saying the scheme was of no benefit to the local community and that 'seven good businesses in the town' would be put out of business if it was approved. He argued there was a need for housing in Abergavenny and said it would be beneficial to make the site totally residential as it would be good for the new Llanfoist School as well as creating affordable housing. George Ashworth responded by pointing out that no objections had been received from Abergavenny's Chamber of Trade and that the planning committee could only deal with what was being applied for and asked members for reasons why they couldn't approve it. Councillor Edwards said there were, "plenty of reasons why we can reject this planning application on this site." He stated that the UDP and housing situation had changed and that seven good businesses in the town already provided the DIY needs of Abergavenny. Councillor Bob Wilcox said he supported Councillor Edwards' objections and added that Abergavenny town centre was an attraction which needed to be kept attractive. Councillor Ashley Thomas disagreed stating that people would travel to Abergavenny because of the store and that it would actually bring business to the town. He rubbished Councillor Edwards' suggestion of the site providing purely a 'premier' residential site and said that, "It would be premier housing on the rear of the site by the river but who would want to live underneath or next to the Heads of the Valleys road once it's dualled?" He added, "Most DIY places are close to housing, they are not factories." Councillor Robert Greenland said, "We've already got consultant reports that have previously identified that Abergavenny needs more DIY." He told the committee that, "In the case of any appeal we could not defend the decision because all the evidence we have previously gathered has said the opposite. "I can't see any other planning reason for rejecting it. "Within planning guidance we could not defend it. "I have reservations about the junction and the traffic control but officers and consultants and experts say otherwise and I'm going to support the proposal." Councillor Greenland was supported by Councillor Thomas in voting for the proposal. Councillor John Harrhy declared an interest and all the other six councillors present voted against. The proposal is due to be considered by the committee once again in two weeks time.