SUPERMARKET giant, Asda, has exchanged contracts with Monmouthshire County Council for the sale of land in Caldicot.

The four-acre site at Woodstock Way is proposed for the new development and it is hoped the store will bring in economic benefits. The legal process has completed and Asda are in the process of finalising its design and will submit a planning application shortly.

Meanwhile, work will shortly commence on the site to re-locate a sewage pipe and fibre optic cable. The work is expected to last approximately 12 weeks and may result in some local disruption.

Cllr Bob Greenland, deputy leader of Monmouthshire County Council and cabinet member for regeneration, said: "This fulfils a long standing promise that we made to the people of Caldicot to provide a new supermarket within Caldicot to enhance the existing town centre offer and act as an anchor for the much needed regeneration of the town centre. Caldicot's retailers have suffered over the past few years through lost trade and we want to encourage the residents of Caldicot to return to their town through the provision of this new store."

He added: "As we promised, the money raised from the sale of this site will be ring fenced towards the funding needed to provide Caldicot with a new aspirational comprehensive school as well as funding improvements to the town centre environment and a new 3G all-weather synthetic sports pitch for the school and leisure centre users."

Oliver Jones, communications manager for Asda, said: "We're really excited that our plans are now one step closer. Being at the heart of the local community is really important to Asda and we look forward to getting to know the local community in the months ahead."