A car workshop is to be demolished and re-sited to make way for a major expansion of a town supermarket at a key conservation zone site.

Aldi’s Monmouth Road store at the entrance to Abergavenny town centre has been given the go ahead to extend its floorspace by nearly 50 per cent, with extra space to be provided on land currently occupied by ATS Euromaster.

That’s despite objections from Abergavenny and District Civic Society, who said the extension was “hardly ‘modest’ as claimed”.

The group added: “We have not been impressed by the architecture of the present Aldi store, in a conservation area, particularly the horizontal lengths of high-level windows.”

And it criticised “the lack of any planting on the ATS frontage to break the visual impact of the new building”.

Abergavenny Transition Towns was also critical, telling planners the scheme would turn the whole town centre gateway opposite the bus station into “a glorified car park”.

“This site deserves a serious landscape and active travel green infrastructure framework worthy of its potential sense of place…” it said.

“The reconfiguration of the buildings on this important cultural and historic site offers a once in a lifetime opportunity to set in place the starting jigsaw pieces of this framework.”

They said any scheme should “encompass and extend the tranquil existing public walking/cycling route from Swan Meadow along the Gavenny.”

But planners said: “The principle of an extension to the existing supermarket and replacement of the garage is acceptable as the principle of development is already established.

“The proposed extension to Aldi which mirrors the existing building, but enhances the entrance, is considered to be in keeping with the existing building and will preserve the character and appearance of the conservation area.”

The net Aldi sales space will be increased by 380m sq from 860m sq to 1240m sq, while car parking will rise from 91 to 101 spaces.

The site is situated in the historic heartland of the town, close to the ruins of Abergavenny Castle, Abergavenny Museum and the historic St Mary’s Priory church, while it sits next to the River Gavenny which gave the town its name.

Approving the plan, Monmouthshire Council put in conditions that any development of the site must be sensitive to the surrounding heritage, including the presence of an archaeologist for any excavation work.

A brand new ATS Service Centre will be built on neighbouring land next to its current site.

A report on behalf of the Aldi scheme said: “The overall development is an opportunity to provide a stronger and more cohesive architectural street presence on Monmouth Road.“The proposals will also generate jobs and investment in the local area.”And it added: “The re-development of the site will ensure the retention and ongoing maintenance of the landscaping across the site and the planting to the river bank.”

The current three entrances to the two businesses will also be reduced to two.

One neighbour claimed the plan was a “missed opportunity to create a significant green corridor along the site frontage which would soften the visual impact and encourage an increase in pollinator friendly habitat.

They added: “It would also improve the visual impact of the scheme on the entrance of this historic market town.”

Another said the scheme had eco potential, as the “south-facing roof” at the back would be “an ideal opportunity” to install solar panels.