Councillors this week approved outline planning permission to build up to 45 homes on a greenfield site in Raglan.

The application, submitted on behalf of Monmouthshire County Council, was approved outline consent to build on the 5.4 acre site off Chepstow Road.

Some objections arose, with residents expressing concern over flooding and the welfare of otters and bats.

Raglan Community Council also raised concerns over increased traffic, describing local flow as already significantly increased above the desired level.

A letter of support said the affordable housing provided in the plans was welcome and outweighed any negative elements. Those plans include 16 homes deemed ‘affordable’ funded via a Section 106 agreement.

Graham Willmott, present at the meeting, said his opposition centred on the ‘high-density’ of the plans proposed. Adding that they were ‘not in keeping’ with the locality, Mr Willmott said the plans were ‘alien’ before suggesting that new plans cut the number of proposed houses down to 30 from the mooted 45.

Mark Cullen, a planning agent for MCC, said there were ‘no technical details’ which should restrict the development before recommending the site for approval, before underlining that the application was only at the outline stage. ?

?Councillor Roger Harris said it was ‘sad’ that councillors spent ‘most’ of their time on ‘proposals which reduced’ the number of proposed houses when ‘it is something our area needs desperately.’

A public consultation event held prior found more than half of the 42 submissions raised concerns about school capacity. MCC then assured that its education department would ensure sufficient school places would be available.

The plans will now progress to further consultation within the next few months.