Monmouthshire County Council must reject Natural Resources Wales’ three applications for fast food vans in the Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, according to the county council’s Conservative Leader Cllr Richard John.

NRW has put forward three separate applications to locate food and drinks vans in NRW-managed car parks at Whitestone between Catbrook and Llandogo, Beacon Hill near Trellech and Barnets Wood near Chepstow.

All three have been recommended for approval by the Council’s planning officers, but will be decided by the authority’s Planning Committee on Tuesday 2nd June.

Councillor for Mitchel Troy and Trellech has submitted a formal objection to the plans and warned they will worsen litter problems in the AONB. He has also accused NRW of prioritising its own revenue above its statutory responsibilities as a guardian of the countryside.

NRW have claimed that the van or trailer will be located on existing hardstanding and that no new hardstandings or permanent structures would be created.

The van or trailer will not be permitted to park overnight, and NRW anticipate seasonal opening hours of 9am to 5pm. There will be no electricity supply and no diesel or external generators.

Cllr Richard John said, “I’m appalled that Natural Resources Wales, the supposed guardian of the countryside, has put these proposals forward, putting the creation of new revenue streams above its statutory responsibilities to protect our environment.

“These fast-food vans are not wanted by the local community, will worsen littering in the AONB and take trade away from established local pubs and businesses, as close as a few hundred metres away.

“Councillors must vote against these three near-identical applications and send a message to NRW to get on with its job and stop trying to profit from our landscape to the detriment of local residents. These plans must be rejected.”