Town council planners have said they cannot give a view on an application for a Wetherspoon's pub in St Mary Street because part of the scheme relates to land owned by other people.
They did say they were concerned about the potential loss of the original 19th century shopfront in what is currently Chepstow and Bulwark Home Improvement Supplies.
Letters received from traders and the public were evenly split between those supporting and those opposing the plan.
It is claimed some land facing Nelson Street included in the plan is not owned by Weatherspoon's or the current occupiers, the council's planning committee was told.
Members were concerned about the pub chain's plans for the front of the building.
Henry Hodges said: "They would be ripping out a 19th century shopfront to replace it with a fake 19th century shopfont."
The application will be determined by the county council. The town council is consulted for its views but the county does not have to agree with them.
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