Monmouthshire's new cattle market will be a "welcome boost" for Raglan, according to one of the council's deputy leaders.

Councillor Bob Greenland told cabinet last week he expected work on the new site at Bryngwyn to begin "very shortly".

"Officers are finalising the selection of contractors following a competitive selection process. We wish to begin on site as soon as possible," he said.

Cllr Greenland said the council was keen to ensure the sale of the current market site in Abergavenny was not delayed as the sale of it "represents an important contribution into the capital budget for our 21st Century Schools project and we do not want that scheme delayed.

"Let's not forget the benefits to Abergavenny from this scheme apart from the new supermarket. A new library, redeveloped brewery yard and a sizeable contribution to the re-building of King Henry school.

"This project has had a difficult birth to say the least. There are some very determined and principled objectors. But it is now time for the democratic mandate to deliver the project.

"There is a clear majority of members of this council of different political persuasions who support a new supermarket, who want to see a new livestock market.

"At the last election not one member of KALM stood. It would be a travesty of democracy for this council to accede to KALM's demands.

"This council has the right, in fact the duty, to fulfill its mandate to the farming community to provide a new centrally situated livestock market and to the people of the Abergavenny area to provide a new food store. Work on the new market will begin very shortly.

"I've noticed some comments and comparisons have been made between our new Bryngwyn market and the new Somerset market at Sedgemoor.

"Our new market will not be a Sedgemoor with ancillary services on site. Why? Because just two miles away we have Raglan, that already has an agricultural merchants and machinery suppliers plus a host of other services useful to farmers.

Fo full story see Beacon 12/09/12