THREE Monmouthshire councillors are asking colleagues to look again at a decision to suspend the Caldicot regeneration project.

At the end of last month, the cabinet decided it was inappropriate to proceed in the face of opposition from the town council and the comprehensive school.

But a special meeting of the economy and development select committee will be held on Wednesday to examine that decision.

It was hoped to build a supermarket on land at Caldicot School and plough the estimated £4 million back into education.

The county council had already spent £129,000 on fees, including designing a new access road, and preparing the site for sale.

But the cabinet agreed that work should be suspended, with no further costs being run up, until or unless the town council supports the scheme.

Earlier this year, a majority of town councillors said they favoured a new supermarket but the current plans meant it would be located away from the main shopping centre.

Just hours after the cabinet took its decision, the town council agreed to investigate ways of holding a public ballot on the issue.

Monmouthshire Cllrs Anthony Easson, John Marshall and Ron Higginson subsequently requested that the cabinet decision should be "called-in".

They argued that the decision was "somewhat hasty" as local members were attempting to organise a ballot to seek public approval for the project.

The select committee could decide to refer it back to the cabinet or refer it to full council.

A report to the cabinet in July said Caldicot town centre had suffered in recent years with shoppers travelling to Newport or Chepstow.

Retail studies supported the need for an anchor store.

Prospective developers had shown strong interest and there was little doubt Caldicot was seen as "a major commercial opportunity".