A ROW has broken out over plans to develop the area of Monnow Street involving Merlins, David Christopher Jewellers and Lloyds TSB. Monmouth Town Councillor Sue Chivers said she was shocked to hear that the frontage of the buildings may have to be demolished as they had been deemed unsafe. Counc Chivers told the Beacon that at last week's meeting of the Town Council's Environment Committee the Chairman, Vivien Mitchell, said that a survey had been carried out which suggested that the buildings could be unsafe. "My hackles began to rise - I'm furious that developers can come into the town and do anything they like," said Counc Chivers. "This is demolition by stealth. If there has been a survey done, I would like to see the report. "If the buildings are unsafe, the public should not be going into them." Stephen Clarke, the archaeological consultant for the project, said that he knew nothing about a survey or that the buildings had been found to be unsafe. "I would be totally against any demolition on these frontages as this would threaten some of the finest remains in the country and I cannot believe that anyone could have suggested such a thing." " I do not know where Coun. Mitchel obtained her plans or her information but I will be trying to find out". "I believe that the developers are keen to protect the archaeological remains and I am there to help them do just that." Alasatair Robertson, who is spokesman for the project, suggested that those concerned had got the wrong end of the stick. "Where the confusion lies is that there's been a measured survey to get the dimensions but there's been no conditions survey which is what you do to see if a structure's safe." Planning permission already existed to demolish the Merlins' frontage, he said. There was no particular plan to demolish the front of the other buildings. "It's a bit of a storm in a teacup," he said. Plans for the area include the creation of an arcade leading to a a public area, which could be used as a new indoor market or exhibition space. To signpost the arcade a bay window would be constructed over the entrance.
