IF you go down to the woods today be prepared for a big surprise! And it isn’t no teddy-bear’s picnic either! It’s what dog-walkers have described as a ‘god-awful monstrosity’ and it’s set up camp in what used to be a picturesque paradise just off Nantgavenny Lane.

The Nantgavenny woodland has been popular with ramblers, sweethearts, idlers, dog-walkers and those in pursuit of altered states for time out of mind. Yet this year the woods have been transformed courtesy of a new nearby housing development.

And its new, shall we say somewhat experimental look, is not everyone’s cup of tea.

“It’s a right bleeding eye-sore,” snapped Dai Bartholomew. “I’ve been walking the hounds down here for many a moon and these new pylon fangled things, or whatever the hell they are, have ruined what used to be a nice little retreat for many up the Mardy and further afield.”

Bartholomew added, “I know you have to build new houses but Jesus! couldn’t the powers that be have been a little more sensitive to an area of natural beauty.

“You could once take a meander down there and you’d be completely cut off from the modern worlds and all its nonsense. It would just be you, the dogs, the trees, birdsong and the sound of the Gavenny as it makes its way to the Usk.

“Now they’ve chopped down the trees, exposed my little sanctuary to the road, and it looks like they’re building the set for the next Transformers or Star Wars movie down there. I mean just what the hell is going on?”