SIR, I have attached photos that were taken on the 28/ 9/05 at approximately 7.55am. As you can see there is a great of congestion, with stock waiting to be unloaded at the abattoir. This is quite a common occurrence on this section of the road adjacent to our house, we do not really have a problem with this as it is quite effective at slowing the traffic down and we appreciate that small businesses have to survive and make a living. However, imagine the degree of traffic congestion if the proposed cattle market traffic (150 vehicles to quote the figures given at the meeting) was also added to this? I appreciate that a large proportion of this traffic may not be actually coming through the village, but it only takes road-works on the roundabout or access roads, or for a lorry to breakdown at the entrance to the proposed market and one can easily see how we should very soon descend into chaos. I wish to reiterate that I do not have a problem with the existing small business of the abattoir in the village, I do, however, have grave reservations as to the siting of a large cattle market in Raglan. The figure of 150 vehicles quoted, as far as I understand it, only took into account traffic arising from the closure of the Abergavenny and Monmouth markets. This is 300 vehicular movements per market day, say, three days a week. That's a significant increase in traffic per week. Now factor in the additional traffic that would arise from the closure of Newport market and also potentially from the proposed closure of the market at Easter Compton (where Chepstow-side farmers probably take their stock at present) - doesn't bear thinking about really! Raglan has never had a market in the village, hence it has remained a village and has never grown into a town. If Raglan is such an ideal spot for a market why has this not been proved by it already having a market? It appears to me that the developers and the auctioneers concerned with this project have paid scant regard to the views of the residents of Raglan. In fact, before Tuesday night, our opinions had not been sought. One would have thought that it might have been preferable to ask our views before submitting the planning application? If it had not have been for the Raglan Conservation Group, many people, myself included, would not have known that a meeting was taking place, strangely though, farmers from all over the area (from as far afield as Pontrilas) seemed to know it was taking place? As the meeting on Tuesday night revealed, there are a great deal of objections from the local residents regarding this application and as we are the people who are most affected - our views should be paramount! With regard to the local Community Council, I feel, as do many other local people, that a development of this magnitude and potential impact needs full and frank discussions with all of the residents and not just the farming community. Many residents feel that this development is being pushed through with no regard for the villagers. Planning for a market on the outskirts of Abergavenny has already been given approval, surely better in terms of access and availability of other local services, such as banks etc. Why do we need one in Raglan - in sight of a splendid historic monument and where there is dubious access and limited services. In a similar planning application, for a new market site in Hereford, a period of six months consultation has been implemented and ALL groups have been able to have their opinions heard. In contrast, in a recent newspaper article, the people of Raglan were told that a cattle market would be sited here as if it were a fait accompli. From looking at old maps of the castle, it would appear that the proposed site encroaches upon what is probably where the ancient fishing ponds and home park were. The field adjacent the site is also reputed to be the burial site of the soldiers who were killed during the siege of the castle during the Civil War. I cannot believe that this site is the best site for a cattle market. If closing the markets has been so good for the towns of Monmouth and Abergavenny - then how can opening one be good for the village of Raglan? David Bevan
