CADW says it is regrettable that Monmouthshire County Council granted planning permission for a house which has been built within the views of Grosmont Castle visitors.

Grosmont Community Council wrote to Cadw, the keeper of ancient Welsh monuments, after local people complained about the size of the new house and its proximity to the castle walls.

In his reply, Richard Kevern for Cadw Ancient Monuments Administration said, "Cadw has no record of being consulted on this application by Monmouthshire County Council. Our records show that Cadw was consulted a number of times between 1994 and 1999 on planning applications seeking to build three houses on the site.

"Our general view was that parts of the site could be developed without visual harm to the castle but that the development of the part of the site closest to the castle was problematic and should be avoided. Nonetheless two of these applications were successful.

"Our inspector of ancient monuments has carried out a site visit to view the construction underway.

"His advice is that the site is not visible from the accessible section of the elevated wall walk. There is one external view looking north from within the castle but at the moment it is screened by existing trees and hedging. As such the development would not have a significant impact to visitors in the castle.

"The building will though, have an impact upon those walking around the castle, particularly from the footpath coming from the north, but this route is not the most used approach to the castle.

"As such if Cadw had been consulted we would certainly have questioned the position and massing of the proposal which extends too close to the castle in our view.

"In Cadw's views it is regrettable that planning permission was granted without taking account of our opinions, particularly given that we had previously set out our concerns about development close to the castle, but it was for Monmouthshire County Council to balance these concerns against other material factors when reaching its decision."

Grosmont Community Council members have asked for a meeting with Cadw and this is being organised, but Mr Kevern suggests inviting along someone from Monmouthshire County Council as the planning authority.