Petition received: 3 August 2007

Principal Petitioner: Mr Stuart Willcock

Number of Petitioners: 10

Petition to ‘Call in’ Planning Application MC/2006/00540 Monmouthshire CC Relating to Proposed Cattle Market at High House Farm, Bryngwyn

We, the undersigned, call on the National Assembly for Wales to ‘call-in’ planning application MC/2006/00540 made to Monmouthshire County Council. This planning application proposes to build a Cattle market at High House Farm, Bryngwyn on open agricultural land.

The reason for this request is as follows:

1) The planning application is in conflict with national planning policies with regard to the use of greenfield site when brownfield sites are available and have planning approval for a cattle market use.

2) Due to the size of the planned development, the planning application has a regional impact as it would affect the operation of cattle markets throughout South Wales, Gloucestershire and Herefordshire.

3) The planning application is extremely controversial and has raised concern beyond the immediate locality, for the following reasons:

a) the Local  Authority is using a third party to make the application, and by this action seeking to avoid full scrutiny;

b) the Local Authority has refused to communicate with Community Councils affected by the application;

c) the Local Authority stands to gain in excess of £10 million by giving consent and this will place undue pressure on the Planning Department; and

d) the Local Authority purchased the land, specifically for a cattle market development, in the full knowledge that it was contaminated with botulism, risking outbreaks throughout the region.

We will be pleased to provide any further information you may require to reach a decision.