A VACANT block of flats is to be demolished and replaced with houses and apartments after getting the green light from councillors who welcomed the plans.
Monmouthshire Housing Association put forward a proposal to demolish and replace the 1960s and 70s built blocks of two and three-storey flats, that have been empty for five years, in 2021 as they required significant investment to meet current energy efficiency and quality standards.
The county council’s planning committee approved the plans for Wheat Field Close in Monmouth at their October 7 meeting and were told they had been delayed due to a block on new developments until a solution to manage phosphates entering the river Wye was put in place.
Planning officer Philip Thomas said there had been objections to the design being at odds with the neighbouring red brick Brook Estate, but described the development as “really good 21 century, modern, affordable housing.
“It will look different to the rest of the area but that does not mean to say it is a bad design.”
He said there are a range of house styles in the area and also said the four two bedroom houses, for four people, and nine one-bedroom, two person flats, would be set out on the same L shape pattern as the connected block of two and three-storey buildings to be demolished and said: “It will make a significant improvement to this site in Monmouth.”
Independent Socialist member for Dewstow Tony Easson said the housing association has recently completed developments in Caldicot.
He said: “This is a positive thing development as far as I’m concerned. Monmouthshire Housing Association have had developments in my ward the last couple of years and they’ve turned out to be very good.
“We need affordable housing and the quicker we get rid of these 60 year old buildings and put up modern ones the better.”
Labour member for Overmonnow Steven Garratt said: “I’m really delighted to see these plans come forward. Monmouth has not had much development in recent years and we’ve got a housing crisis and people in decent jobs who can’t afford to rent or live in Monmouth.”
Concerns had also been raised over parking with 14 spaces provided, which is one for each home and one visitor’s space.
Mr Thomas said the location is close to the centre of town, and with a bus stop outside, and there is usually lower demand for parking from social housing tenants which is supported by evidence from across the county. He also parking spaces weren’t previously marked.
Independent Usk councillor Meirion Howells said he noted the new flats would be a reduction of 22 bedrooms, compared to the 39 that had been there, with only 10 parking spaces.
A legal agreement will require the homes remain as 100 per cent affordable and the applicants will also have to agree plans to manage traffic during the construction.
