NEARLY 30 affordable homes are to be built on the site of a former supermarket on the edge of Cwmbran town centre.
The former Lidl store, which has been covered by three-metre high hoardings since it closed, will be demolished to make way for three-storey blocks at the site entrance and two-storey blocks within the new estate.
The application was approved by councillors despite the local member voting against approval citing concerns over a lack of parking and a smaller than standard play area as well as there being no financial contribution towards a local primary school.
Planning officer Justin Jones had told Torfaen Borough Council’s planning committee there will be one parking space for each of the 29 homes, which he said is in line with national and council policy to reduce parking in “sustainable” locations where residents can walk, cycle or use public transport.
Parking
However, Reform UK councillor Alan Slade said he would vote against the application for the former supermarket site on Woodside Road in his Llantarnam ward in Cwmbran.
“I’m not happy about the parking,” said Cllr Slade: “In the evening, buses are very rare.
“With it being so close to town, people will park in there and we already get requests for residents parking. The number of people parking in there to go into town will be an issue.
“It is lacking someplace for the kids to play. We’re talking about a minimum of 23 children.
“I imagine the Fields in Trust will be having a nightmare at no play area, to say that little space is actually sufficient, it isn’t is it?
“Frankly, I think that has just been an effort to get as many properties on to a small site as possible and I will be voting against.”
Cllr Slade also questioned why no financial contribution is required towards Llantarnam Primary which he described as “full” but Mr Jones said there are surplus spaces at the new Maendy Primary and there would be a contribution towards Croesyceiliog Comprehensive with £78,000 requested.
Flooding
Labour’s Stuart Ashley, who pointed out Woodside Road is the boundary with his Pontnewydd ward, said: “Maendy is just across the road. I can’t see how anyone would go all the way to Llantarnam from that site.”
Cllr Ashley also asked for assurance that the site would be safe from flooding from the Cwmbran Brook that runs behind it.
Mr Jones confirmed it isn’t within a flood zone but said developers had taken a “very precautionary” approach and if there was any flooding it would be at the bottom of the gardens.
He also said noise assessments have been made as the site is an “island” with the main A road, Cwmbran Drive at one side and Heol Llywelyn, that runs along the western boundary of the Cwmbran Shopping Centre on the other.
Mitigations including existing trees and hedges and a new 2.4 metre tall acoustic fence will be required to control noise as well as glazing and building fabric while a condition will require a noise assessment is completed before the most at risk units can be occupied.
A financial contribution, from applicants Monmouthshire Housing Association and construction firm Hale Group, will also have to be made to an improved crossing across Heol Llywelyn with the council also working towards a walking and cycling route alongside it.
The application was approved with six councillors voting in favour and only Cllr Slade against granting permission with conditions including the section 106 legal agreement covering the contribution towards Croesyceiliog Comprehensive and the crossing.