Abergavenny and District Tourist Association representative Chris Belcham, who spoke at the inquiry said that he was `thrilled to bits' with the decision and pleased at the way in which the inspector had taken up the issue of the effect on the town.
He did however, press disappointment that counsel for Monmouthshire County Council had failed to make the most of the opportunities offered by the inspector's late decision to take town centre viability into account.
"I had expected the council to use this opportunity to great effect, but on the whole, it was left to groups sad individuals from the town to show the effect on the town centre that an out-of-town McDonald's could have," he said.
"I expected the council's team, to come back armed with facts and figures on the second day, but they did nothing. Their representation left much to be desired," said Mr Belcham.
His disappointment with the case put forward by Monmouthshire County Council was echoed by Abergavenny Development Forum chairman, David Haswell, who spoke extensively at the inquiry about the effect on the vitality of the town centre.
"It was unfortunate that planning officers did not develop a challenge on the grounds of sustainability in their original report to county councillors and subsequently when giving evidence - it was largely left to the local organisations and councillors to do so, and many rose to the challenge," said Mr Haswell.
"It is also interesting that McDonald's came to the inquiry, by their own admission, unprepared to debate the sustainability test and proved their complacency and lack of research by failing to cross examine groups which provided evidence on the town's health checks and progress."
He paid tribute to the hard work by the local organisations and individuals who had formed the opposition to the restaurant plans.
"The way this was handled demonstrated the value of town organisations which, with the support of local members, brought local knowledge aid passion to the campaign for saving and regenerating the town centre."
Councillor Alan Breeze, who spoke at last month's appeal hearing, said he was `extremely pleased that the safety of children had been put first'.
"It is also pleasing that the planning inspector recognised the possible damage to the viability of the town centre that could be caused by a restaurant sited out of town," he said.
Llanover' community councillor Hazel Hunt, who had been at the forefront
of the campaign to see the appeal rejected, said that she was very pleased
with the inspector's decision and delighted that `common sense had won
the day'.
County councillor Grant Williams also warmly welcomed the planning
inspector's decision; describing it as a `triumph' of democratic process
in a head to head with big business'.
David Swanson, Monmouthshire County Council's head of development control
defended the authority's representation.
"On the subject of the viability of the town centre, the council's
case was prepared on the findings of an earlier appeal at Ebbw Vale at
which it was ruled that the effect on the town centre was not an issue".
"Preparation of a case on this basis would have meant the adjournment of the inquiry and both sides felt that there wasn't a case for waiting for that" said Mr Swanson.
Source: Abergavenny Chronicle