RESIDENTS of St Mary's Road in Abergavenny are angry that plans to build two dwellings on Abergavenny Fire Station land have been submitted to local planners.

The South Wales Fire and Rescue Service have submitted an application to build a pair of semi-detached houses, with garages, on the car park that fronts onto St Mary's Road.

But now the concerned residents have reacted by staging a public meeting over the issue.

Currently the rear car park has 19 spaces plus one for disabled use.

Howard Hicks, the agent acting for the Fire service says that these spaces can easily be accommodated within the adjoining car park, whilst the disabled space will be moved to the front of the station as part of the works to comply with the Disability Discrimination Act.

Peter Heinler, a St Mary's Road resident for 69 years said: "When the fire officers respond to a call out they often charge down our road at speed, but if they develop the site it will mean less room for abandoning vehicles on their car park and will be leaving their cars in St Mary's Road as physical obstructions."

Mr Heinler added a number of residents have real concerns over the development which centres around that squeezing two extra homes in an already crowded area which also includes Tanglewood Close.

Mr Heinler said: "While it might not be an official reason to object to the plans, I do enjoy looking out at the Blorenge and seeing the mountain in all its moods. Building a house on this site will spoil the view I have had for most of my life."

The public meeting is being held at the Scout Headquarters building on the Fairfield car park at 8pm on Wednesday, June 28.