PLANS to spend £12 million redeveloping Newport Market should be given greater scrutiny, a city councillor has said.
Newport council has backed Loft Co’s proposals for the Grade II listed building, including a tech hub, apartments and retention of the market and food halls.
A 250-year lease has also been granted to Simon Baston, the developer behind Loft Co, which counts Cardiff’s Tramshed, Barry’s Pumphouse and the Jennings Building in Porthcawl amongst its previous projects.
But concerns have been raised about the decision-making process, with Councillor Matthew Evans claiming cabinet members received a presentation on the project in a private meeting last year.
The leader of the Conservative group told councillors on Tuesday that no minutes of the meeting exist, and that Loft Co was the only option considered.
“There’s no doubt the situation with the market is desperate with units closing down and rents on the high street being considerably cheaper,” said Cllr Evans.
“I’ve had a chat with some traders and there are mixed feelings, with some openly opposed [to the project] and others enthused.
“But they all appear concerned about a lack of detail or communication from the council.”
The meeting heard that there was no need to go out to competitive tender as it ‘did not fall within regulations’, with senior councillors following legal advice given at the time.
Council leader Debbie Wilcox said concerns surrounding the market were ‘rightly met’, describing the building’s future as a constant source of debate in her 15 years as a councillor.
“We have to move with the times and Newport Market, for all its qualities, doesn’t fulfil that 21st century model,” said Cllr Wilcox.
“I understand concerns amongst traders because change is difficult, but the status quo was not an option.”
Cllr Evans asked if the final proposals could be brought for scrutiny by full council, otherwise elected members would be ‘failing in their duties’ to Newport residents.
The former leader raised concerns about the council having no plan B if the plans were not to go ahead.
“You’re about to give a 250-year lease to an individual or company when there were no other alternatives on the table,” he added.
Cllr Wilcox said she had no issue with publishing reports so long as the commercial confidentiality of the proposed agreement is respected, adding that a similar lease had been granted to Friars Walk while Cllr Evans was leader.
“I hope this developer is coming in at the right time and the right place,” said Cllr Wilcox.
“We are dealing with someone with a history of success who specialises in Grade II listed buildings.”
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