Plans to build a pub, McDonald's, Costa Coffee and pet shop near the Dixton roundabout have been submitted to Monmouthshire County Council (MCC).

Although they are yet to be finalised, plans detailing the proposed layout of the Dixton Road site appeared on the authority's planning website last week.

From the proposed site entrance off Dixton Road, McDonald's is on the far side adjacent to the A40, while the Marston's pub is in the corner of the site nearest the roundabout.

A 'drive thru' Costa Coffee and a Pets at Home store are also included in the proposals, as is parking for 91 cars, including seven disabled spaces, and six bicycles.

The development would create 147 full and part-time jobs – 41 at the pub, 16 at the pet shop, 65 at McDonald's and 20 at Costa.

According to planning documents on the website, the site was most recently occupied by a guest house named 'South View', which was demolished some time ago.

Since then, a number of planning applications have been considered for the site.

In September 1989, outline permission was granted for a 40-bedroom hotel. Outline permission was also granted for an additional 'drive-thru' restaurant and petrol station, after appeal, in May 1991.

An application for a foodstore was submitted in 1995 but then withdrawn.

In April 1996, full planning permission was granted for a petrol station, restaurant and 36-bed motel.

While the proposals are yet to be put out for formal consultation, a number of comments and objections have already been received by MCC.

Many claim the development will make traffic on the busy Dixton roundabout worse.

Concerns have also been raised over the amount of litter generated by the McDonald's and whether the development would take trade away from the town centre.

Monmouth Civic Society has already said it will oppose the proposals, listing traffic congestion and the site's appearance as reasons.

"Very recently designs for a 'Gateway' structure or device on the site of the roundabout were entered in a competition for 'Gateway Wales' and indeed the approach down the dual carriageway to this point is scenically impressive," the group said in a letter to the council.

"It would lower our national aspirations severely for the gateway to consist of a car park and fast food outlets."

The society's main concern, it says, is the "effect on the character of the town".

It claims the development would "suck commercial activity from the town and start the process of decentralisation and hollowing-out seen in far too many small towns".