SIR, I was so relieved to hear a unanimous vote against the Dixton Roundabout development plans. However, articles and comments still seem to be going around in favour of the development, on the basis of the jobs created. I fully understand that 147 jobs would be great, but let's be realistic. Figures show that for every job created in such development, 1.2 jobs are lost locally. This means that overall the level of unemployment wouldn't be improved. Furthermore, only 80 of the proposed jobs are full time, and 65 of them are in McDonald's. Going by the fast food chain's trend of employing 90 per cent of workers with zero hour contracts, 58 people could end up with this type of insecure contract. I struggle to see how someone can have a decent working life, when they can't guarantee there will be enough money to pay the bills at the end of the month, and they may, or may not, be called up to work at any time; this is even more inconvenient when we remind ourselves that it could be a 24-hour store. There is a desperate need for people to realise that a few secure jobs does not make this a worthwhile development plan. I gather that the plans must now go forward to Monmouthshire County Council, so the battle is not yet over, and I urge anyone with concerns to voice them. (Name and address supplied)
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