A group of Gilwern residents say they feel helpless and at risk by a housing development which they claim increases the danger on an already substandard road.

The Charles Church development in Ty Mawr consists of 28 quality homes to form an enclosed estate but with only one narrow, unlit road to the new construction, the residents of neighbouring Oak Tree Lane are increasingly worried about the safety of their street

One of the residents, Craig Bennett, 42, said, "The road is already very dark because of the covering from the trees, but with another 30-plus vehicles on this road and no footpath, it's simply not safe."

Tom Hewitt, 75, lives at The Lodge, which sits on the corner of the road, and has expressed concern at the already dangerous blind bend outside his home.

"You can't see anything around the corners when you come off Oak Tree Lane, and in the dark it is even worse," he said.

"With all of the cars expected, and no right of way markings, the corner will be terrible."

There's no chance of a suitable footpath being created because of the tree roots along the roadside.

A Monmouthshire County Council spokesman said, "The tree-lined approach road to the site is very narrow and it would not be possible to accommodate two-way traffic and a footway unless the trees were removed.

"Given this, and the predicted low traffic usage, the council and developer felt the best solution would be to upgrade and use environmental traffic measures incorporating passing bays to create a shared space arrangement."

The fact that the road is going to remain unlit is also a concern to the residents. The road has street lamps down the stretch of it, but these were turned off over three years ago to fit in with the Brecon Beacons 'dark skies' policy.

A council spokesman said, "The national park is just one of five areas in the world to be awarded international dark skies reserve status and it is regarded as beneficial to tourism in the area."

But residents are confused at the lack of a similar 'dark skies' police within the new development.

Mr Bennett said, "We've been previously told we can't have street lighting on the road because of the dark skies, but these new houses all have big street lights outside. At night they'll be lit up like Blackpool.

"I don't understand because the road is covered almost entirely by an archway of trees, so why would it affect the dark skies any more than the light from the new houses?"

The residents have not only had concerns over the safety of their road because of the lack of lighting.

Many also feel they have also been subjected to excessive noise levels and amounts of dust and that the road surfaces are unacceptable..

The main road had to be taken up to accommodate a new water pipe, and although residents were informed that it would be repaired before any work started on the properties months down the line it has become clear this promise has not been kept.

Mr Bennett said, "The road chippings are big, and could easily damage a car tyre, or be kicked up into a vehicle's windscreen.

"They have already moved one women into the new houses and she has a small baby. Something terrible could happen while she is pushing her pram up that road with cars coming down at speed."

Llanelly Hill Ward Councillor Giles Howard said, "I feel the residents are frustrated at having one more thing happen on their doorsteps that they can't control."

A meeting was held with a Charles Church site manager last month to address some of the residents' issues

Following the meeting, Mark Richards, Technical Manager of Persimmon Homes (East Wales) apologised for the inconvenience to the residents of Oak Tree Lane, but said that their development was following the planning regulations.

He informed the residents that he would discuss their issues with Monmouthshire County Council.

Since the meeting, they have been promised that the problem of the road surface will be addressed.

Councillor Howard said, "Though a footpath cannot be created, once the Gilwern Outdoor Activity Centre on the road closes in August, the road surface will be fixed.

"They have also promised to add speed bumps and additional signs to the road before the development to increase safety on the bends."

But with regard to the overall scheme, some residents still feel that they have had to fight just to keep the work up to an acceptable standard.

Mr Bennett added, "We had to tell them to water the roads when it was dusty, and to complain in order to get the road surface sorted out.

"I would love to know who actually put the stamp on this to go ahead, because it makes no sense."