A controversial plan forced through by councillors to build 111 homes in Raglan hit a major snag after it was shot down by Welsh Government planners.

A letter seen by this newspaper reveals that the Welsh Government’s head of planning has rejected the application pushed through by Monmouthshire County Council on November 7.

Addressed to MCC’s Mark Hand, head of planning, the letter states that under powers held by the government, the council must not grant permission for 111 homes planned for Raglan.

“I am authorised by the Cabinet Secretary for energy, planning and rural affairs,” it reads, “to issue such directions, and, in exercise of this authority, I hereby direct your council not to grant planning permission in respect of,” the application made.

The letter, authored by the head of planning decisions, states that ‘further consideration’ must be given as to whether or not the application should be referred to Welsh ministers for their consideration.

“The Direction prevents your Council only from granting planning permission; it does not prevent it from continuing to process or consult on the application. Neither does it prevent it from refusing planning permission,” it reads.

The news serves a major blow to MCC’s planning department, which the letter states will be informed of the Welsh Ministers’ decision will be ‘called in’ for their consideration.

Over 100 Raglan villagers rallied last month, saying ‘No!’ to the development of 111 houses on the edge of their village, insistent that the MCC plans should have never been given the go-ahead.

Opposition centred on a large housing development mooted for a green field site edging Raglan Village, which campaigners have said would besmirch the ‘beautiful and historic’ settlement, swelling the local population by nearly one-third.

Despite impassioned arguments from both sides, councillors approved the plans, meeting gasps from the assembly of placard-waving protestors set behind them.

The strength of feeling against the development was previously set in 190 letters of opposition, including those authored by the Woodland, and Glamorgan-Gwent Archaeological Trusts.