A CONTROVERSIAL fence "blighting" an historic Monmouth building should be removed as soon as possible, said town leaders.

Just three weeks after the fencing around the grade-1 listed Shire Hall was installed, Monmouth Town Council has agreed to pay for it to be taken away.

A request for the removal will now be made to the county council.

About 50 traders and residents were at the extraordinary meeting of the town council this week.

They were told that if the Heritage Lottery Funding for the renovation of the Shire Hall was approved on June 24, a solid hoarding would be erected within a week and building work would begin within ten days of the announcement.

Cllr Bob Hayward said: "Regardless of the rights and wrongs of the issues, the fact is one of the main tourist attractions of the town is now shrouded behind an eight-foot unsightly fence.

"I do not believe there are any residents of Monmouth who would not prefer the fence to be taken down until it is needed."

Cllr Richard Bond said: "The effect on market traders has been devastating and I suggest they are allowed to come back into Agincourt Square until building work actually starts."

Claire Edwards, of Mojo clothing shop, said: "The footfall in Church Street has dropped dramatically since the fencing went up and it's like we are trading in a ghost town with everything moving to the bottom of town."

Traders in Beaufort Arms Court say they have also seen their takings drop by around 50 percent over the past two weeks.

David Cummings, speaking on behalf of Monmouth and District Chamber of Trade and Commerce after the meeting, said they applauded the council's decision