A WAREHOUSE described as about the size of "12 football pitches" is to be built on countryside land in Monmouthshire by a leading global brewer.

Despite some of Monmouthshire's planning committee having reservations about the size, appearance and loss of more than 40 trees to pave the way for the building at Magor Brewery, they passed the plans.

Members heard its owners InBev UK, makers of Budweiser, Stella Artois and Beck's, were keen to start on the project as soon as possible, which could create up to ten jobs.

The warehouse will house an extra 16,000 small-pack pallets of beer cans and bottles before they are delivered to customers.

Currently double the amount are stored off site during peak periods at Sharpness.

As much of the stock returns to Magor before it goes out to buyers, it is estimated building the warehouse would cut trips there by 308 per year.

Cllrs Frances Taylor and Giles Howard said they were concerned how many trees would be lost during building work and suggested they should be replaced with mature species.

Cllr Taylor said: "11,200m (squared) is about 12 football pitches roughly. We are effectively losing a very large area of agricultural land."

Cllr David Dovey said the buildings, to be constructed with corrugated metal sheeting with an off-white tented canvas roof, should be appropriately screened.

The plans also include a new internal roadway and loading bays, widening of an access road and installation of a new HGV weighbridge.

Peak production periods at the site, which employs around 350 people, are May to June and October to December.