Residents campaigned against plans put forward by developers Henry Boot, which would include an Asda supermarket on the Cattle Market site, as it would be economically damaging to local shops and out of keeping with Abergavenny's traditional market town characteristics.

The application was finally refused by Monmouthshire Council's Planning Committee in January 2007 after several attempts by the Council to get it through.

Campaigners, working under the name SAUCE for 'Save Abergavenny's Unique Character and Environment', had briefed Public Interest Lawyers to send a letter pointing out serious deficiencies in the planning process and this letter was instrumental in the Committee's decisive rejection of the scheme.

The Council continued working with the same failed developers, however, who threatened to appeal against the rejection but did not actually do so. The Council attempted a 'consultation' exercise to devise a new design brief and the developer agreed to have an architectural competition to come up with a new design provided a new deal could be signed.

SAUCE prepared a detailed and comprehensive case to present to the expected Inquiry, which included briefing Counsel to represent them. SAUCE also engaged the services of a distinguished academic expert in the field of retail impact to help with that aspect of the case.

At the last minute the developer withdrew his appeal after signing a deal with MCC to extend the contract date by one year to give time for the architecture competition and for a new design to be agreed and approved by the Planning Committee.

SAUCE believes that the new design brief reproduces many of the faults of the failed scheme and is likely to result in another third rate and damaging retail park.

The saga goes on.....