SUPERMARKET chain Tesco is applying to turn a former pub in Cwmbran into one of its stores.

The company is seeking permission from Torfaen council to convert the former Golden Harvest pub in Ty Gwyn Road, Greenmeadow, into a new Express branch.

Residents nearby have received letters from the council saying the plans will be on display at County Hall.

Councillor Catherine Lewis, Greenmeadow ward member on Torfaen county borough council, said: “I haven’t received any details about it yet, but as soon as I do I’ll be talking to local residents to see how they feel.”

Last year, plans were submitted by JAS Developments Ltd to demolish the existing building to erect eight properties on the site, but the application was withdrawn.

The application is one of several recent bids from Tesco to build new stores in Gwent.

Residents objecting to a proposed new store in Cefn Road, Rogerstone suffered a blow in November when an independent planning inspector held that a new store could be built. Concerns had been raised over claims of an increase in noise and disruption to nearby residents.

A Tesco spokeswoman said the land in Greenmeadow was owned by a developer but confirmed a planning application to convert the former pub into a Tesco Express store had been submitted.

She said: “In our experience, we have found that Tesco Express encourages more people to shop locally without having to drive to large out-of-town supermarkets, which can strengthen existing local centres and generate investment.”

She said the new store would provide between 20 and 30 jobs.