Plans to build 18 retirement homes in Llanfoist have been met with opposition.

Early proposals to build the block of ‘high quality’ apartments in the centre of Llanfoist village were submitted to Monmouthshire County Council in December. ??Following publication online, the plans have been welcomed with strong voices of opposition, with some members of the community saying that the site would be ‘unsuitable’ and put pressures on local infrastructure.

Work includes demolishing the existing site, and replacing it with an ‘active living centre’ aimed at the retirement community. The plans also detail a communal living space, a private landscaped courtyard, along with a swimming pool and gym facilities at Greenfield, Merthyr Road, Llanfoist, next to the mini roundabout.

Online comments numbered 18 at the time of going to print, all of which objected to the plans.

One opposing voice said, “This development is totally out of keeping with the local area. The roads are already inadequate and this number of apartments will seriously increase the traffic in the area. It will totally take away the privacy of my home.

“I feel that no due consideration has been given to the effect the project will have on the community. There will be extra noise generated by so many homes. Is such a modern design really in keeping with the surroundings? Just to look at the design is shocking for something of that size to be erected at the bottom of my garden and the reality of it will be hideous.” ??Another in opposition pointed to recent developments in the local area, adding that ‘housing for first-time buyers and social housing’ was needed and ‘not retirement apartments.’

Further, a local who said she lived ‘directly opposite’ the proposed site, pointed to the ‘overdevelopment of the neighbourhood.’

“It is already chaotic where the mini roundabout is, where there are regular road traffic collisions taking place every week,” she wrote.

“This proposed development would increase the traffic on the road significantly and during the building phase. The development would potentially hinder the peace and enjoyment of my property by destroying my view. In addition to this, it would impact on the privacy of my home and this could also would effect the value of my home.

“Llanfoist is a quiet and fairly secluded area of which such a large development would destroy the character of the village.”