'Do nothing' call on cattle mart

By Mark Hannaby
BBC News

Laws dating back to the 1850s insist Abergavenny has a livestock mart

Campaigners opposed to the closure of a historic livestock market are calling on the assembly government to "do nothing".

Monmouthshire council is planning to tear it down for a retail park.

However, a Victorian law stipulates that Abergavenny must have a livestock market, and under the current proposal it would be relocated to near Raglan.

It means the assembly government must intervene and repeal the legislation before the redevelopment can proceed.

A new livestock market would then be built at Bryngwyn.

But many people in Abergavenny fear the scheme will lead to a decline in visitors and in trade for local shops, with the supermarket Asda already signed up for the retail park.

Jenny Long, co-ordinator of Keep Abergavenny Livestock Market (Kalm) told BBC Wales' The Politics Show: "It would ruin the town. It would ruin the livelihoods of many independent retailers.

"It would effect the tourism around the town and the district."

But director of Abergavenny Market Auctioneers Ltd, Keith Spencer claims many users of the near 150-year-old market welcome the plan, and worry that its failure would mean the council is short of finance for the new cattle market they need.

We would like the Assembly Government to do nothing, basically not to repeal the Acts of Parliament Jenny Long, Kalm

Mr Spencer said: "I think you would find that, whilst of course there are some who value the tradition and would like to keep the market here in Abergavenny, the vast majority would support the development of a modern out-of-town market."

However, close to 5,000 people have now signed a petition with the unusual request for the assembly government not to act.

Mrs Long from Kalm added: "We would like the assembly government to do nothing, basically not to repeal the Acts of Parliament. They were made in 1854...between 1854 and 1871. We would like them to stay in place. We would like a turnaround of the plans so far."

The assembly government's environment minister Jane Davidson would make the initial decision on whether to repeal the Abergavenny Acts.

'Rethink'

But that decision can be challenged and debated by the full assembly.

Petitions Committee member and AM Mike German shares concerns that the plans would rob Abergavenny of one of its unique selling points.

He says the entire assembly should take its opportunity to ensure the acts are not repealed.

Mr German said: "The developer cannot move, they can't do anything with the site without that Act being revoked.

"The power to revoke it is in the National Assembly and I hope that the National Assembly will say, 'This is not a proposal which actually improves the quality of life for the people of Abergavenny'.

"I think they ought to rethink the whole thing."

But Monmouthshire's cabinet member for regeneration argues the redevelopment of the livestock market site was promised by the ruling Conservative group before the last council election, so has already been endorsed by the public.

Benefits

Councillor Bob Greenland said: "The Welsh Assembly (Government) will not consider the repeal of the Acts until such time as we have a planning permission in place both for the site that's involved in the centre of the town and also we can demonstrate that we have an alternative site available for the operation of the cattle market.

"When we get to that position then I think the case will become clear to the Assembly and I'm pretty confident that they will come to the conclusion that the Act is outdated and should be removed."

Asda told The Politics Show: "At a time of considerable economic uncertainty the regeneration of this site would stimulate the town's economy by providing major benefits to local job seekers and existing businesses, whilst ensuring that activities directly associated with the cattle market could continue in a modern, purpose built facility."