NEW homes could be built where a house that was at the centre of a dispute and subject to an arson attack once stood.
Only remnants of the house and its former swimming pool remain on the plot beside the Pontypool bypass that triggered dispute that eventually led to the former home, Ty Gwyn, being abandoned and then demolished.
The former owner had abandoned Ty Gwyn following the construction of the A472 bypass, in 1996, having been involved in a “prolonged dispute” with the government over compulsory purchase of the land alongside homes at Pen y Graig Terrace that leads to the plot.
Applicants Nigel and Julie Silvester, of Henllys, Cwmbran, have asked Torfaen Borough Council for permission to build three, four bedroom detached houses on the site at Cwmfields with the application also covering access, driveways and parking as well as landscaping.
Details of the dispute that arose from construction of the bypass are included in documents submitted as part of the application.
Newport-based Richard Andrews Architects state in a pack submitted to the council the land is considered to be brownfield, or previously developed, and describe how the previous property fell into disrepair following the “prolonged dispute with the government over the creation of the road”.
According to the architects this led to the owner “abandoning the property after the road was constructed. They believed that they could no longer live in that location.
“The property lay empty for a while but ultimately fell victim to vandalism and arson, leading to the decision to demolish the property around 2005/6. The house was taken down, but remnants of the dwelling are still visible on site, including the pool and some garden walls.”
A planning statement, by AJ Planning and Development, says Ty Gwyn was demolished “following an arson attack” and the site is now “subject to loitering”.
A previous plan, for two semi-detached houses, was put forward in 1997 but rejected by the council and although that was overturned following an appeal construction never got underway and the permission lapsed.
A satellite photo included in the application shows how the house was still in place in December 2001.
The site is now overgrown but the application states it is only proposed to remove small saplings rather than the “long established” woodland surrounding it or trees covered by protection orders.
The documents also state the plot is within the Pontypool development boundary and advice has been sought from the council’s planning department as the plans have been developed over the past year.
Local residents were also informed of the plans for new houses, according to the statement.
The application is being considered by planners.
