THE derelict Indian restaurant building, shrouded in scaffolding in Cross Street, has new owners.

Monmouthshire County Council took the previous owners of the fire damaged property to court to force them legally to restore the property.

The authority was successful in obtaining a court order to address the poor condition of the front elevation of the listed structure.

But on the same day the financial decision was approved by members at cabinet the property changed hands.

The new owners employed contractors in December to clear the site of the debris.

And since the beginning of the year there has been a dialogue with the authority with the new owners forming a planning and listed building perspective.

The Chronicle understands that the new owners have instructed an agent who will be submitting their proposals to the planning authority in the near future.

A spokesman for the Monmouthshire council said, "Clearly the best outcome would be for the owners to commission the work and undertake the redevelopment that is necessary without the need for the authority to take formal action."