PRESSURE group KALM, which decided last week that it has taken the legal battle to save Abergavenny's livestock market to its conclusion has described the decision to close the town's cattle market as a 'tragic mistake for the town, its residents, the farmers in the surrounding area and its thousands of visitors'.

Speaking after announcing that it had taken the legal fight as far as it could, KALM?founder Jenny Long said it was time to that following a number of recent developments it was ' apparent that there are no more practical ways to prevent the council going ahead with its plans'.

"Consequently, it is time for all those who love Abergavenny to move on and to find other ways to contribute to its future development.

"In particular, KALM urges the authority and Morrisons to enter into discussions with the concerned parties in the town to improve the design of the supermarket site to make it more worthy of the town's character and distinctiveness.

"There are real concerns about the design of the building, its merchandise its offering to the public and the management of traffic generated by the future store."

Ms Long went on to thank the hundreds of people who have taken part in their campaign over the years, and to those who had made donations to help with the cause.

Monmouthshire County Council has welcomed KALM's decision to cease its legal objections to the regeneration of the town and to its commitment to a constructive dialogue on the future of Abergavenny.

Councillor Bob Greenland, the authority's cabinet member responsible for regeneration, said, "I welcome KALM's announcement of its withdrawal from further legal challenges, thus saving the council from any further waste of public funds defending democratically reached decisions.

"It is also of particular note that the group wishes to engage to ensure that we work together in future to help rejuvenate the town, despite the many pressures that Abergavenny, in common with other towns throughout Wales, is facing with changing shopping habits and reduced spending by consumers."

Project Director, Steve Greenslade, added, "As project director, my job is to deliver the Abergavenny and Bryngwyn schemes together with a talented and committed group of professionals under the policy direction of councillors.

"Over the years, our motives have on occasion been unfairly questioned. But the resolve of successive authorities has never faltered, with no challenge arising through the proper process of the ballot box.

"In my experience I haven't met anyone who loves Abergavenny more than the past and present county councillors who serve the community, hence my own commitment to the project remains resolute.

"We will continue to consult positively with the community on this and other local projects under the banner of the exciting Abergavenny Total Place plan. "

The council has often been accused of a failure to consult with the community, but Mr Greenslade said,"It is perhaps important to recognise that failure to agree with minority views is not the same as failing to consult.

He added, "As we move towards the final exciting stages of the project and look forward to the benefits it will bring to the town and beyond it is useful to recall that the provision of a central shopping area supermarket will encourage shoppers into the town and discourage the out of town superstore threat.

"The monies generated from the site will finance the award-winning Brewery Yard project together with a new 21st Century livestock market and a new library, with more left over to help with the provision of new schools.

"There would have been even more money left over for schools and the scheme would have been delivered much quicker but for the persistent legal actions taken outside of the democratic process: but that is the legal right of individuals and minority groups."