THE head teacher of Monmouth Comprehensive has voiced concerns over a proposed development to bring a pub, drive-through fast food restaurant and separate coffee shop as well as a retail store and vets to the town.

In a letter to Monmouthshire council’s planning officers, Vaughan Davies said that the proposed Costa Coffee, McDonald’s, Marstons public house, Pets at Home store and veterinary surgery on land owned by Tesco off Dixton Roundabout is close to the school playing fields, and raises concerns of an increase in traffic and a potential flood risk.

In addition, a drive-through restaurant is contrary to the school’s ethos of healthy lifestyles and wellbeing.

The Argus previously reported that the governors at Haberdashers’ School Monmouth fear it would have an adverse impact on Haberdashers’ Agincourt School at Dixton Lane, on the other side of the A40 dual carriageway, citing road safety and traffic concerns, and that it will put parents off sending their children to the school.

Buses carrying pupils enter the comprehensive school on Dixton Road, just below the proposed site.

Mr Davies' letter points out that the development would be close to a busy main junction into the town and would add more traffic to a congested and dangerous area.

He said the school, which caters for 1,600 pupils aged 11 to 19, is trying to promote healthy eating.

"We are not sure as to the commercial nature of the development, but the school is committed to the ethos of 'Healthy Lifestyles and Wellbeing'. The nature of a ‘Drive Through’ restaurant runs contrary to the standards and culture the school is trying to promote," he adds.

Mr Davies said there is distance of the proposed development from the school adds a ‘concerning complexity in the area of safeguarding.’ Addressing pupil safety, he said: ‘The proposal does not in any way address or stop the access from the development to the school site, moreover potential student movements from the school site onto the proposed development generated by its proposed use.

"This is a fundamental flaw in the proposal and needs to be considered."

Mr Davies, a history teacher, also felt that students, parents and residents view the town as the 'Gateway into Wales' and the development would not be ‘in keeping’ with a historic town.

Developer Avenbury Ventures LLP has claimed the scheme will create 147 jobs whilst redeveloping a vacant site. Monmouthshire council is yet to rule on the plan.