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Monmouthshire County Council has had more letters than any other planning issue for 20 years = 3000

"Save our Market Town"  handed in 1,900 letters objecting to the proposed Asda store. Bringing the total to over 3000.

Save Our Market Town = Chamber of Trade: market traders, Tourist association; Civic society; Development Forum and Friends of the Earth.

Issued 8000 pamphlets encouraging public to protest.

FoE Barry Greenwood says " amazed to find Abergavenny shoppers overwhelimingly say 'NO' to a large sell everything supermarket.

48% of letters from shoppers outside the Abergavenny 'shopping catchment area' - people come long distances to Abergavenny because it is different - it is not like other supermarket dominated towns. It it turned in another 'clone' town with a large supermarket they would not come.

Henry Boot's proposal was all about Abergavenny 'clawing back' visitors by having a big supermarket but the FoE findings are quite the opposite.

"If people are 'clawed back' to Asda they may not go to the town centre especially if Asda only gives two hours free parking."

Monmouthshire County Council Planning was pleased to have such a big response from the public - ' every response will be considered'.

The big issue seemed to be the 60 / 40 split towards non-food items in the proposed Asda.

Monmouthshire has not yet set  a date for the planning committee to consider the responses.

The Monmouth A. M. David Davies says "This is a very important decision for Abergavenny - it is important we take time and get everything right". "I have raised the issue of the percentage of non-food sales with Henry Boot and I am very concerned about the time limit on the car park.".

" The whole point is to attract people to Abergavenny and keep them here".  " The library and cinema are a good idea". " I am pleased the developers have now incorportaed local stone into the design".