Controversial plans for a new village shop have been approved in Magor - 21 years after the original application. The site is currently home to Magor Motors, but plans will see it become the largest food store in Magor.
Business owner Rod Morgan originally applied for the retail development back in 2001, and a number of subsequent planning applications have been refused. Now, the development has been given the green light subject to a number of conditions.
The site has been a topic of much conversation in the Monmouthshire village, with dozens of comments for and against the proposals. Many people in the village are concerned over problems with traffic and the effect on other local businesses, while others think the development will be a good thing for the area.
Under the plans, the existing garage will be demolished and replaced with a new village food store, called Magor Village Store. It will be significantly larger than the local Co-op, which is the only food store in the village.
The local community has shared their opinions through comments submitted to Monmouthshire County Council. There have been a number of comments to support and oppose the plans since 2010, when the latest application was submitted.
David Evans said: "I believe the proposal is too large in scale and will be detrimental to the look and feel of Magor as a historic village".
Mr N Heard said: "The village currently has a lovely and unique village square, which is the heart of the village. It also has a supermarket, nearer to the heart of the village. We do not need another supermarket, especially on a main road, which is just a thoroughfare for speeding traffic, away from the village's heart."
Lynne Warry said: "The existing retail shops in the area just about sustain themselves, and another shop would jeopardise commercial enterprise in a small village."
T James submitted comments in support of the plans. They said: "What's wrong with a little competition? It's healthy! All local residents would benefit from a better deal as they'd be presented with "choice". Cheaper goods, on your doorstep."
Another local resident, Matthew Bale, said: "The infrastructure could quite easily cope with the additional traffic. Thousands of cars and hundreds of lorries drive through Magor every day. Would the proposal bring a significant increase in traffic driving through Magor? A store of this size could expect to receive two deliveries per day - hardly a disruption to village life. Deliveries could be scheduled so that they don't add to the peak start/end of school time traffic.
"Many of the other businesses would actually benefit from the additional passing trade. The hairdressers, estate agents, take-aways and pubs would see increased passing trade which would be beneficial to all in the current economic climate. The proposal would make shopping more convenient for a majority of residents. There would be no requirement to travel to Newport, Caldicot or Chepstow. This would be of additional benefit to those who are not fortunate to have access to a car. The village has grown significantly in the last 20 years, and from a moral point of view those who don't have access to their own car should have an equal opportunity to have easy access to be able to do their main shopping."
P West added: "Being close to the square could encourage more people into the area. Prices need to be competitive with supermarkets in Chepstow, Caldicot and Newport though if local people are to use it in preference."
Plans have now been given outline approval, subject to 20 conditions. The first major condition is that full planning consent is obtained within the next three years. At this stage, the plans have obtained outline consent, which is where the principle of the development is permitted, but major details have not been agreed upon.
Other conditions include a car park management scheme, specific opening hours, and drainage provisions. It is likely that it will take some time for these conditions to be fulfilled and subsequent planning consent to be granted.
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