Terms for proposed Aldi in Pontypool back before Torfaen council

The supermarket chain have agreed to contribute £30,000 to canal embankment repairs and improvements to offset the risk posed by flood waters.

The's also offered to pay for a £70,000 footpath and cyclepath, as well as put another further £25,000 towards "community transport".

The application for a store near the Skewfields roundabout was approved by councillors in December, against the advice of planning officers.

Terms now need to be decided – and could include money for a new cyclepath and canal bank repairs.

A flood risk assessment carried out in February found the proposed new store would be at risk of flooding from a canal breach.

Concerns voiced by the Canal and River Trust have now been alleviated though, after the discount supermarket agreed to provide a £30,000 contribution to canal embankment repairs and improvements.

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“As their own flood consequences assessment identifies that the site is at risk from flooding Aldi are willing to provide a contribution towards some localised repairs to strengthen the canal edge at areas identified as being of greatest risk between the site and basin,” a planning report says.

“This is in order to reduce the risk of localised breaching which would result in flooding of the new Aldi store.”

Aldi could also fund a new shared use footpath and cycle way as part of the development, costing £70,000 to build or alternatively to be provided with a £110,000 contribution.

The three-metre wide path would connect the new store to a wider pedestrian and cycleway network, joining the existing footpath alongside the canal and towpath.

A contribution of £25,000 could also be made towards community transport, however planning officers have said the amount would be too small to provide any benefit.

They have recommended the offer is not accepted.

Councillors had also called for Aldi to provide an improved access point and changing rooms for the nearby West Mon Rugby Club.

But the store has said this cannot be offered, although it has indicated it will help the rugby club with match day access via the its car park.

Torfaen council’s planning committee are set to decide the terms of the agreement at a meeting on Tuesday.