TRADERS in St Mary Street, Chepstow, are remaining tight-lipped about their views on the proposed plans of JD Wetherspoon's who are looking to come into the town centre.

Local residents and business owners are awaiting the outcome of tonight's crucial planning debate before they make any comments. The popular chain of pubs has submitted an application to move into numbers nine and 10, St Mary Street, currently occupied by Chepstow and Bulwark Home Improvement Supplies.

Some locals have also expressed concern about the possible increase in anti-social behaviour and the effect it will have on other businesses in the area.

They say that if Wetherspoon's application is successful it will come as direct competition to several businesses already established in the area, who took a knock-back while regeneration work was being carried out in the town.

Sandra Bushall, Chepstow town clerk, has already confirmed that at this stage the planning committee are meeting to decide purely whether to support the application on planning grounds and offer their view to Monmouthshire county council. The applicants' affect on other businesses, or late night anti-social behaviour are not an issue at this stage.

Wetherspoon's application for a change of premise use and a single storey rear extension will be discussed at the planning and administration committee meeting held in the council chamber, The Gatehouse, High Street, which starts at 6.15pm this evening.