THERE has been huge debate over Newport City council's proposal to borrow up to £90 million to finance the much-delayed Friars Walk development since this newspaper broke the story last week.

Many people in the city have expressed concerns over the plan, and there have been some well-reasoned arguments against the proposal expressed on our website in recent days.

We have done our best to reflect all sides of the argument during the last week. That is our job.

But it is also our job to offer our opinion about what we think is right for Newport.

We believe the council's plan to borrow the money needed to get Friars Walk open in time for Christmas 2015, while unusual, is right for Newport.

City councillors had their say on the proposal last night and the vast majority voted in favour of the plan. Good. They have done the right thing.

The council's political leadership also did the right thing last night by finally apologising for the way in which the Chartist mural was demolished.

It is now time to move on and focus on the future.

Let's get Friars Walk built and get a new a Chartist memorial commissioned.