A PLAN that will define the future of Abergavenny's historic cattle market will begin this week when a team is chosen to regenerate it.

The plan means the Brewery Yard site will be redeveloped and a new livestock market for Monmouth-shire will be built elsewhere.

The deal was agreed in principle by Monmouthshire's cabinet last May, and today's meeting will create two teams to work on the project.

Clive Hamersley, head of policy and performance management for the council's environment directorate, will be project manager if the council agrees with recommendations put before them. He said approval was being sought for the formal setting up of the project board and the project team.

"It is proposed that the project board is led by Pam Birchall, the cabinet member for the environment, with delegated powers, and five officers acting in an advisory capacity," he said

"Jeff Martin, the corporate director for the environment, will have overall responsibility for the direction of the project.

"He will also have responsibility for liaison with members, communication and the promotion of the project within the council and the wider community."

Mr Hamersley said the redevelopment of the Cattle Market site and Brewery Yard area is a project that will define the future of Abergavenny for years to come.

It is expected to have major regenerative benefits for the town centre. Mr Hamersley said: "The complexity of this project and the long timescale involved require a structured approach and dedicated resources."

A team of three, supported by legal, design, architectural and transport consultants, will decide where the new livestock market will go and what will replace it.

It was previously suggested both Tesco and Waitrose were interested in the site, while an application for a new livestock market to be based at Little Castle Farm, Raglan was made in 1999. The team has a £160,000 budget for the current year but all expenditure must be recovered from their receipts.

Plans are expected to be approved at the cabinet meeting at 2pm tomorrow at County Hall, Cwmbran.