THE much-heralded Gateway Monmouth project plans for regenerating the area around the Monnow Bridge, are at present on hold after having £200k of European funding spent on a

feasibility study.

The £2m ambitious project, pictured left, looked to replace the present toilet block adjacent to the town’s ancient bridge with a new cafe and toilet facility, a market store and tourist information panel. There was also hopes of creating a community orchard, restructuring the river bank and building a stone paved civic square.

Plans drawn up by landscape architect team Macgregor Smith, included a shared space for pedestrians and traffic across the corner of Monnow street and Blestium Street.

The European Rural Development Programme gave Monmouthshire County Council a grant of £200k to carry out a feasibility study for a gateway building and public realm space sandwiched between Blestium Street and the river. The capital funding was to be drawn down from the Rural Development Plan, but this now seems unlikely.

Funding is now being sought elsewhere for a flood consequences assessment so that the council can submit a further planning application to continue with the project.

An MCC spokesperson said: “The council hopes that this project will benefit tourism as well as provide a community facility. If this work is to progress the council will be seeking a partner to access funding for the building and public realm space to be realised.”

In the short term, local groups, including the Civic Society, are looking to spruce up the present toilet block, erected by a Lydney building company to service the former cattle market under the reign of the Borough Council. Monmouth and District Chamber of Trade and Commerce has an initiative to renovate the woodwork on the building and Handyman House is offering the paint materials to anyone interested in helping to paint it.