THE five town groups opposed to the Morrisons design for their foodstore in Abergavenny are all agreed on three of the main issues, including locating the building near Lion Street.

Abergavenny Town Council, the Chamber of Trade, Bryn y Cwm Forum, Civic Society and Development Forum all want to see a building which is sympathetic to the conservation area with pitched roofs and a varied roof line, as well as moving the store from the opposite end of the Cattle Market site.

Four of the five groups also want to retain the abattoir buildings in part and three of them want single storey elements in the design and are concerned about the quality of materials used for the car park.

All five groups have welcomed the Urban Design, drawn up for the Abergavenny Development Forum, which includes many of the features agreed by everyone when Monmouthshire County Council drew up their own plans for a supermarket on the site in 2004. The scheme won widespread approval.

These facts were presented to members of the Bryn y Cwm area committee at their meeting in the Town Hall last week by David Haswell who drew up the Urban Design for the ADF. He had earlier asked the chairman Councillor Maureen Powell if he could present the chart he had drawn up containing the views of the five town groups and she had refused, stating it was not in their remit and it would be dealt with by the planning committee.

But Councillor Simon Howarth suggested that they listen to Mr Haswell because they should look at anything which would make the scheme better for the town.

He said: "Mr Haswell has made it clear he's not opposed to the scheme. If he has information that can make the scheme better I have no issue with listening to that. It's a public forum and I have no issue with this if it can make the Morrisons scheme better for the town."

Councillors Christine Walby and Bryan Jones agreed, and Councillor James George said he would listen to the debate but not take part because he is a member of the planning committee. Councillor John Prosser also declared an interest and Councillor Powell asked Mr Haswell to make the presentation brief.

He then handed out a sheet of paper to everyone present and pointed out that the matrix showed the views of the five town groups in a simple chart.

"All five groups agree on the three major issues and four on the retention of the abattoir buildings. I am simply tabling this information for a debate by those who don't sit on the planning committee."

Councillor Christine Walby said: "It would seem eminently sensible that the store should be located on the Lion Street side. It is important that serious note should be taken of the unanimity of those groups over this. It would integrate with the town and a sympathetic design is crucial."

But Councillor Giles Howard said if the store is placed at the Lion Street end it would be harder to match the store with other buildings in the area. "I am not convinced either way. I have not seen any great intrinsic value in the buildings. We still don't know what the public think of it. The jury is still out in my head."

Councillor John Prosser said a lot of thought had gone into the exercise, "I look at it as a wish list. What I am worried about for the future of Abergavenny is if nothing happens then we get an application for an out-of-town store. Somewhere we have to have a sensible compromise so that an acceptable project is received. The future of the town is at risk."

Councillor Walby added: "The location of the foodstore is important because of the footfall into town. The Lion Street location will be more likely to increase the connection to the town."

But Councillor Brian Hood disagreed and said people can walk both ways if the store was at the other end of the site. He said traders just want the council to get on with the redevelopment.

Alan Michie, chairman of the Bryn y Cwm community forum said this was an opportunity to get on and do it. "I wouldn't have wanted to be involved in the knocking down of Tudor Street, so I don't want to be part of another mistake."

Councillor Roger Harris said every member of the planning committee should have that information sent to them and Mr Haswell said they would be receiving it.