The possibility of a development on ground between the A40 and New Dixton Road has moved some residents to form an action committee to oppose the idea.

They are objecting on the grounds that the plans for two fast-food take-aways, a pub and a bulky goods shop would add to the noise and traffic pollution in the immediate area, as well as competing with established businesses in the town itself.

County councillor Bob Hayward and town councillor Brian Ramsey were joined by MP for Monmouth David Davies and around 30 residents, who expressed their reservations regarding the proposal which was laid before town planners at a recent meeting.

The overall feeling of the meeting was that the idea was inappropriate for the area and would further add to the traffic and air pollution which are considered a problem at present.

Cllr Hayward reminded the meeting that the area was already designated for business use, so the first hurdle was already passed.

"Bear in mind," he added, "it is the policy of Monmouthshire County Council (MCC) not to allow out-of-town developments and that would be a valid objection to the plan.

"The important people will be the highways as they have to give an opinion before it goes to planning and we need to keep saying how dangerous it is on the roundabout."

According to recent surveys, at present an average of 26,000 vehicles a day are travelling north to south, with 22,000 per day going the other way.

Cllr Ramsey said he was involved in a campaign to get the area designated an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) as it is believed the air quality is in breach of UK and European Union environmental standards.

It was believed that the air pollution levels, as well as traffic congestion and flooding issues, led to a previous application to be withdrawn.

"We are convinced," said Cllr Ramsey, "that the air quality is way below the standard it should be and we have issued a formal complaint against MCC which has to go through the complaint process.

"If they cannot answer, it then goes to the Welsh Government who are ultimately responsible for ensuring that MCC complies with air quality standards.

"We are convinced that air qualities in Monmouth are horrendous. So we are working with MCC, who have installed eight more nitrogen dioxide sensors along the A40.

"If Monmouth was declared an AQMA it means the county council have to seriously consider any additional development that could make matters worse which is why the idea of a car park behind the Queen's Head has been kicked into touch.

"Nobody has yet developed on there and I suspect the reason is that the problems are insurmountable; to raise the area by one metre is a lot of work, then there are the environmental issues such as water run-off, pollution, traffic congestion and air quality; the issues here are health and safety of the additional traffic and pollution," he added.

Mr Davies promised to support their campaign as much as he could, saying he felt the development was totally innappropriate but pointed out that he could not help in the actual planning process as it was out of his remit.

It was agreed to form a small committee that would disseminate information to the wider group and keep everyone up to date with progress.

"Once plans are in, you have a 21-day period in which to object," said Cllr Bob Hayward; who urged those present to oppose the idea on grounds of planning issues rather than emotional arguments once the plan had been put before MCC.