ABERGAVENNY'S Victorian slaughterhouses are to be demolished, Monmouthshire County Council has confirmed.

Following the conclusion of all the legal hurdles the authority can begin the first phase of the redevelopment of the Cattle Market site in preparation for a new supermarket and library to be built.

Abergavenny Civic Society had recently applied to Cadw, the Welsh heritage body, for the building to be listed as being of architectural importance.

But Steve Greenslade, Monmouthshire County Council's project director for the cattle market site, said, "Cadw has confirmed that it has rejected a recent application to list the former slaughterhouse buildings at Abergavenny Cattle Market."

The Chronicle understands that scaffolding will be erected around the slaughterhouse buildings imminently in preparation of its demolition.

Mr Greenslade added, "We are now working closely with Morrisons and its advisors to ensure that the buildings can be demolished in accordance with the timescales governed by the protection of bats.

"Morrisons is in the process of completing all the legal formalities that will enable them to commence demolition works at the earliest opportunity.

"In the meantime, we are arranging for fencing to be erected in advance of the demolition works and this will start shortly.

"We will ensure that disruption to local residents and users of the site will be kept to a minimum during the demolition process."